Sailing towards a sensible conclusion with car park

It is a large car park with toilet facilities, which since I have known it for over 30 years, was always full to capacity on sunny summer days.

When the NCP took it over, they started charging and the car park became almost unused.

The Sailing Club was granted a concession and members who displayed a parking permit were allowed to park free of charge when sailing events were organised.

However, last weekend this concession was withdrawn and if it had not been for the intervention of the club's secretary, cars would have incurred an immediate fine, even though the members were on the water.

The consequence of this is that members are now parking on the street,

which causes annoyance to the residents and are also having to carry equipment and clothing while often supervising young families.

We are all trying to encourage sporting activities and sailing is a sport which we can and do succeed in, but where is the support from our local authority?

No doubt Worthing would be delighted if a young sailor/ windsurfer was to put the town on the map, but they could claim no part of that success.

The site is due for development and we hope sufficient parking will be allocated to the club when this occurs, but until then, it seems senseless to have a virtually empty car park and have people parking on busy roads.

The charge for six hours is 3.20, which is considered to be unreasonable.

As you will see, I have copied all the parties concerned and am sure the problem could be easily resolved, but would be most grateful if you could lend your weight to a sensible solution.

Erica Riddle

Member of the Worthing Sailing Club