Car parking permit call as spaces hit by shoppers
DRIVERS who have lost their parking spaces in The Suffolks said they would support the introduction of new permits.
Many said they were willing to take the £80 hit and shell out for residents' parking permits if it meant they could park closer to home.
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Action plea: Peter Todd from Ashford Road, and neighbour Tracy Rocklin from Gratton Road
A revised parking zone covering most of Montpellier up to Andover Road was introduced last year, forcing many shoppers and workers in the town to park in other nearby roads.
Residents in Ashford Road, Andover Street, Gratton Road and Painswick Road claimed they are being worst hit, as many all-day parkers clog up residential streets there instead.
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Ashford Road resident Peter Todd had called for a fresh public consultation to address the issue.
"People are reluctant to pay money to be able to park in their own street, but it has got to the point where they would rather do that than the current situation," he said.
"It is not practical and residents are behind a parking permit scheme. The county council has accepted something needs to change and a consultation will hopefully reflect that.
"At the moment it is stopping people shopping in Bath Road because there is nowhere for them to park."
A group of those worst hit carried out a door-to-door survey to find out what their neighbours thought.
Three questions were asked about parking problems.
Of the households which took part, 84 per cent said parking had got worse since the Zone 8 residents parking area was implemented.
A further 69 per cent would support a permit scheme for residents. A county council- backed petition gathered before Zone 8 parking regulations were implemented collected 2,547 signatures in favour of the new zone boundaries.
Of those, just 79 were from addresses in the area now affected by parking overspill.
"Living in the town centre, we all accept that parking and access for deliveries and contractors will be affected by short-term parkers," added Mr Todd.
"We accept, and indeed encourage, such visitors to the area.
"However, increased concentration of all-day parkers is creating an impossible and unacceptable disruption.
"People now regularly resort to parking on pavements and street corners, just to find anywhere to park, making road and pavement use more difficult and dangerous for everybody.
"Our own survey demonstrates the considerable current depth of concern."
Letters have been sent out to residents by the county council advising them of a public consultation to start next month.
8 Comments
by Dave12345
Friday, March 15 2013, 12:31PM
“Key point - "IF" they can park closer to home - the evidence is against this. Why pay to make the situation worse!”
by ScrumpyNed
Tuesday, January 22 2013, 1:39PM
“Interestingly, residents parking scheme in Swansea is free.”
by tishwash
Monday, January 21 2013, 7:11PM
“@Alfredo_ I agree, I've been asking for it to be looked at around my road, 9-5 means when I go home after work I couldn't park if I wanted to and most the time I cycle to work so I'm paying to park at my house and not clog the roads up....
Do these residents realise that permit parking doesn't guarantee a space?
"Makes thins like visiting friends and family almost impossible too." - There are guest permits, you get some free credits every year.”
by elgoog
Monday, January 21 2013, 11:37AM
“Those who impose these rules make sure that they provide free parking for themselves.”
by Matt1006
Monday, January 21 2013, 10:53AM
“"...lost their parking spaces..." - oh dear. Since when were these parking spaces THEIRS? Answer - never, as they are on public highways.
More residents thinking they own the street as well as their houses, and how dare anybody else park outside their properties, in their (unofficial) parking spaces.
The rot has set in now. Permits introduced in a new area, so the all-day street parkers (completely legal) have to park in another area. Permits then introduced there, and the cycle happens again. Ultimately unless checked eventually every residential street within a 2-mile radius of the town centre will be permit holders only, and office / shop workers will be left stranded. Or forced to use public transport.”
by galopede
Monday, January 21 2013, 9:38AM
“Totally agree with Graham Barker below. They start in the middle of town and gradually work outwards. They won't be happy until everywhere has to pay to park. Makes thins like visiting friends and family almost impossible too.
We had the survey around my area, near the Naunton Park school. Do we want a parking permit here? The answer was a resounding no but, as they get nearer, our patch, which is almost deserted during the day will fill up and we'll be in line for another tax soon!
Nice little earner.”
by Grahambarker
Monday, January 21 2013, 9:31AM
“The councils have got these poor people EXACTLY where they want them - on the end of a nice regular income stream.
The councils amek it viryually impossible and expensive for everyone, forcing residents into a corner making them ask for a permit schemes and the council spend more money putting up nice signs saying the scheme has been intoduced by request of the resdents... (not quite teh fuill story is it!)
This is nasty maniplautive behaviour by the councils and they need to be reigned in.
Unfortunately, in local eletions, you only get the chance to change the cllrs - not the full time civil servants who design and impose these punitive taxes.”
by Alfredo_
Monday, January 21 2013, 9:29AM
“Parking permits should be 24x7, not just 8-6.”