People living near an Ipswich sixth form are today calling for road chiefs to take urgent action and stop students parking in their streets – an issue they say has blighted their lives for the last four years.

Ipswich Star: Residents say they are having major problems because students from Suffolk One are parking on Sprites lane and Goldcrest Road.Residents say they are having major problems because students from Suffolk One are parking on Sprites lane and Goldcrest Road.

Goldcrest Road and Sprites Lane are among the main areas affected by the cars from students of One, formerly Suffolk One, during the week, mainly due to there being no student parking on site.

Loud music and speeding vehicles are among the problems being caused, while it has also made it difficult for people wanting to visit those living in the streets and for deliveries to be made, according to residents.

They feel their grievances have been ignored by the authorities and are now calling for the streets to be made “access only” so only people with a reason to park in the roads, such as deliveries, visits or owning a home there, can park.

Richard Grimsey, of Goldcrest Road, is among those calling for action

He said: “That place is Suffolk County Council’s baby, it’s their green footprint. But their green footprint is our toxic footprint.

“We want our environment back to the way it was – we want our quality of life. We’ve had enough of it.”

A meeting was recently held and was attended by Ipswich MP Ben Gummer and Alan Cotterell, UKIP central Ipswich branch chairman, who has taken up the group’s cause and said: “It’s a nuisance for everyone.”

A petition signed by 60 households has also been created in opposition to the parking and demanding for an alternative.

In response to the concerns of neighbours, One vice-principal, Jenny Milsom, said: “The principal and I met up with Ben Gummer MP last week to discuss the issue of parking at One.

“As a result of this, we are going to be meeting with students this week to explain the implications of parking in and around One, where we will be reinforcing the importance of being respectful to local residents at all times.”

A spokesman for Suffolk County Council added: “We have investigated the complaints and a series of surveys have been under taken at different times of the year in order to try to establish the extent of the problem.

“We are in the final stages of preparing a consultation to launch with the residents, where they will be offered some suitable options as an alternative to the current situation.”

Are you affected by One students parking in your street? Give us your thoughts on the issue, send an email to newsroom@archant.co.uk