1:20pm Monday 25th October 2010
By Kevin Bradford
THE arrival of thousands of students to parts of Hendon for the start of the University year is causing parking misery for residents living in the area.
The apparently annual problem of cars being left outside people's houses in unrestricted streets has lead to stand-offs, shouting and threats of violence, according to angry neighbours.
The issues arise as students flood into the area for lectures at the Middlesex University's Hendon campus, in The Burroughs.
With dozens of cars being parked in the roads around Sunny Hill Park, concerns have been raised about getting emergency vehicles through tight gaps and residents unable to get onto their driveways.
Roy Paul, 64, of Sunningfields Crescent, said he and neighbours have held meetings with University bosses in a bid to resolve the problems, but claims they have so far proved unfruitful.
He said: “The number of cars is causing havoc.
“The whole thing is chaos. I come home during the day and I can't park outside my own home. The University is doing nothing about it and say it is out of their hands.
“We have been banging our heads against a brick wall.”
Mr Paul claims a lot of the problems have been on going for about two years since the campus expanded to accommodate more than 10,000 students, following the closure of the Ponders End campus, in Enfield.
Residents in the past have claimed the situation had got “nasty” but said they feel it is the University's responsibility to provide parking spaces for the students.
Barnet Council has claimed they do hold discussions with the University about the problems, and said there are controlled parking zones in place in the Hendon area.
Warren Forsyth, director of estate and facilities management at Middlesex University, said: “Middlesex University encourages all staff and students to use public transport to travel to the Hendon campus whenever practical as part of its commitment to sustainability and to reduce the impact of parking on roads surrounding the campus.
“The University is proud of the contribution it makes to its community and is constantly working to maintain the excellent relationship it has with local residents and organisations in the area.”
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