FURIOUS residents are fed up with commuters from elsewhere clogging up their parking spaces.

Victoria Road in Portslade has become a parking haven for drivers from places such as Hove because it has no restrictions.

Residents have also complained that large motorhomes and commercial vehicles are left for days on end.

Kristian Clarke, 41, who lives in Victoria Road, said it was “unfair” to his neighbours that they were forced to look elsewhere for parking.

He said: “It’s happening all the time and we don’t have enough spaces.

“People from Hove and other parts of Portslade are parking here.

“People also park caravans here, but they don’t live here. However, because of parking restrictions in Hove they come and park here.

“The issue is the spaces next to Victoria Road Play Park are unrestricted so it becomes a favourite spot for many.

“The caravans are dangerous because if you are parked behind the camper vans and you are trying to move out, the van blocks your view.

“The developments happening at Portslade Town Hall on this road also means the parking spaces will be taken out. It’s putting a lot of pressure on drivers.

“Until there are some laws in place the problems will just continue. It’s really unfair on the residents here.

“We also have commuters from outof the area who leave their cars here to catch the train.

“This road is particularly dangerous during the rush hour because there are so many cars. It’s adding to stress and pollution.”

Another resident who lives on the road, who did not wish to be named, said housing developments will add more strain.

He said: “There are new homes being built in South Street which means it will push drivers to look outside of their own streets to park their cars.

“It’s not ideal because if you finish work late in the night and you can’t park your car near your home, it’s frustrating. The problems will continue because they are always building new homes. It’s a nightmare.”

One fuming resident said the situation has now become “intolerable”.

The resident, who lives in nearby Trafalgar Road, but asked not to be named, said: “Until about six months ago, it wasn’t too bad.

“There is no parking available in Trafalgar Road, so Victoria Road,is the nearest available option.

“But now it is just a free for all.

“If you get home at 6pm after a hard day’s work then more often than not you have to drive about in the forlorn hope that some of the commuters will come back from the station sooner rather than later.

“But it is not just the commuters, unfortunately.

“There are a few camper vans which appear not to have moved in months and there are also commercial vehicles which sometimes take up two or even three spaces.

“Another concern is safety for pedestrians, especially as there are often large lorries which completely ignore the double yellow lines along some areas of Victoria Road.

“When they park up, it obscures the view of the road and I fear it is only a matter of time before someone gets injured, particularly as a lot of schoolchildren walk along there.

“I know for a fact that plenty of people are getting really annoyed now, having spoken to several other residents.

“It is not just Victoria Road either. Norway Street is a complete nightmare as well and due to inconsiderate parking there was an incident not long ago when one of the Brighton and Hove buses couldn’t get down the street.”

Labour city councillor Les Hamilton, who represents south Portslade, said: “Streets like Victoria Road, Southdown Avenue and Beaconsfield are particularly problematic for residents.

“At the moment, because there are no restrictions on one side of Victoria Road, anyone can leave their cars here. Someone has even told me people from London are using these spaces.

“West Hove has become a residents’ parking zone which means drivers are coming to south Portslade. There are plans in place at the council to hold a consultation next spring for residents in south Portslade to introduce a parking permit scheme.”

Most of the city’s residential areas are subject to restricted parking. The council has to hold consultations with residents before introducing schemes and it is thought to be only a matter of time before more of Portslade is restricted.