'Bangor University needs to help improve students' relationship with city'

Jun 3 2009 By Daniel Bissett

BANGOR University has been called upon to do more to help ease some of the tension between the student population and other residents of the city.

There have been mounting complaints in recent months about anti-social behaviour, late night noise, litter and parking problems associated with the students and Alun Ffred Jones AM believes the growing number of students is causing more and more unease.

While the university said it would be willing to work with the city, it said it should not be policing anti-social behaviour in the community on its own.

Mr Jones said: "We all appreciate the tremendous contribution that the university makes to the economy and social and cultural life of this area, and having enjoyed my time at the university many years ago, I would be the last person to point a finger at students in general," said Mr Jones.

"However, in areas such as Hirael where students now account for almost half the total population, the sheer volume of this sector is causing unease among the indigenous population.

"Any further growth of the university is certain to exacerbate the problems unless urgent action is taken."

Mr Jones wants university staff to take these issues more seriously and is taking more active steps to ensure the problem is tackled.

"I have recently discussed the issue with Insp Richard Green of North Wales Police and with Dr Dewi Roberts, a member of the University Council," he said.

"I will be meeting other officials of the university later this month to urge them to treat this matter more seriously.

"University staff should be deployed to investigate complaints of anti-social behaviour at any time of day or night, with the transgressors facing sanctions by the university.

"They should also consider schemes to address the acute parking problems caused by multiple occupancy houses."

Bangor mayor and Gwynedd county councillor for Hirael, Jean Forsyth, said there were ongoing problems with student living in residential area but disputed Mr Jones’ claim that students make up half the population in her ward.

She said: "At the last count, there were around 200 students living in Hirael and that’s definitely not half the population of the area.

"There are a lot of students living in Upper Bangor and there might be more problems with residents in that area, but this friction is apparent throughout the city.

"Most students are well-behaved, but it’s the litter and noise made by some of the others which lets them down."

Tensions between Bangor residents and students have been heightened in the recent past by the increase of student accommodation being built in the city rather than affordable homes for local people, and the claim that everything in Bangor is aimed at providing for students.

A spokesman for Bangor University said: "Issues such as noise, parking and litter require a multi-agency response, and the university is prepared to work with appropriate agencies such as Gwynedd Council and the police to find realistic solutions.

"It would be wrong to think that the university alone should deal with policing anti-social behaviour in the community, or that it can introduce schemes for residents’ parking permits, or for collecting rubbish, however it is willing to work with others to try to secure improvements and has already introduced a wide range of initiatives to manage such matters including jointly funding an additional police officer for Bangor.

"It is also important to remember that the vast majority of students live and work very positively in the community, and many contribute to a wide range of voluntary projects – for the elderly, for children and for others – run by the Students’ Union.

"We all want to see a thriving and successful Bangor and by working together, we can ensure that this is achieved."