Impact of Forest of Dean parking charges to be assessed
The impact of introducing car parking charges in the Forest of Dean will be reviewed in July.
Controversy has reigned since they were introduced earlier this year and opponents have continued to rail against them.
Campaigners from Hands Off Our Towns (Hoot) were out in full force last night to protest the change ahead of a meeting of the district council.
The topic also dominated the meeting with councillors and members of the public challenging the ruling Conservatives over the "devastating" effect it was having on businesses.
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A motion was put forward by opposition Labour councillor, Paul McMahon, for an immediate community impact assessment to be undertaken.
He said: "Raising revenue shouldn't be about destroying people's lives and their businesses."
He said evidence could be quickly and easily gather by the street wardens.
But council leader Patrick Molyneaux said that was "wholly inadequate approach" and if done the review would need to be carried out by professionals and look at facts and figures
Debate raged for more than 45 minutes before it was agreed an assesment would take place but not until July, when the charges will have been in place 12 months.
Comments
by Bonkim2003
Friday, October 12 2012, 4:54PM
“HelenCW - absolutely right - unless the traders and general populace start protesting vociferously - nothing will happen - and quite a bit of the charges raised goes to pay the contractors. Get rid of the lot - general public are apathetic.”
by HelenCW
Friday, October 12 2012, 3:14PM
“Why can these stupid councillors not open their eyes and see the effect the parking charges are doing to our towns in the Forest of Dean. I was one of those campaigners out there last night in the rain a citizen from Cinderford,but where were all the traders????? :-(
Come on towns people get off your bums and help campaign against these charges,next July is too late for a review by then the shops will be gone,the towns will be dead and the councillors will have forgotten and put the charges up even more!
Your town/s are dying before your very eyes!!! Good for you Paul McMahon for listening to us who were there last night :-)”