ANGRY residents have been protesting against a university which is charging students to park on site.

Over the summer Greenwich University imposed parking charges at the Avery Hill Campus on the Mansion Site in Bexley Road.

Since then residents and shopkeepers have found it impossible to park along their streets as students are taking up all the spaces rather than paying for parking on-site.

Leslie Gibbins, 63, is a member of the Friends of Avery Hill Park group who organised a protest in Anstridge Road, Eltham, and plans to take further action if nothing is done.

Mr Gibbins of Greenhithe Close said: “All the university has done is push the problem elsewhere. It’s a dangerous situation because the students are parking on corners.”

Meanwhile local shop owner Ramesh Maru said: “Its having an affect on my trade because customers can’t find a parking space so they are going somewhere else.”

The 48-year-old added: “I can’t even park outside my own shop. If I go to the cash and carry or the bank I’m guaranteed to have no space to park when I get back.”

After being contacted by outraged residents Eltham MP Clive Efford contacted the university to demand the new charges are withdrawn immediately.

Mr Efford said: “I am extremely concerned at the way cars are parking on the corners of junctions. This could make it impossible for emergency vehicles to access the estate.”

Deputy vice-chancellor for resources Professor Neil Garrod says the university is introducing a Green Travel Plan to make it easier for staff and students to use greener forms of travel.

He said: “We do not wish to cause any inconvenience to our neighbours and have asked staff, students and visitors to park with consideration to others should they decide not to use our own car parks.”