Permit parking scheme in Cheltenham provokes anger among residents
PROTESTERS have launched a campaign to stop new parking rules from being introduced in part of Cheltenham.
The county council has proposed a series of changes in the Ashford Road area in Leckhampton, which would include the introduction of resident-only permit parking.
Roads which would be affected by the scheme include Brandon Place, Edward Street and Suffolk Street.
Residents have mounted a campaign to stop the scheme and are calling on people to join them in opposing it before a consultation period ends today. Posters hang in the windows of some properties saying "No Thanks" to the changes.
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Anthony Bourton, who lives in Brandon Place, said: "Many of us believe this scheme is completely wrong.
"While we accept some localised measures may be appropriate in some streets with tighter parking, it will create problems in some roads where currently parking is fine.
"With more double-yellow lines planned for some areas, that will squeeze parking in an already busy part of town."
As part of the plan to create a "Zone 9" in the town, the county council has proposed permit parking only in some streets between 8am and 8pm. Permits would have to be purchased at a cost of £80 each.
Other roads would have mixed use areas with both permit parking and two hours free parking, with more double yellow lines installed in places.
Emma McTubbins, who lives in Painswick Road, said: "A lot of people don't have a driveway so would have to pay for the privilege of parking outside their own homes."
However, some residents were in favour of the changes.
One man, who asked not to be named, said: "I know it has created a lot of controversy, but I haven't heard too many logical reactions as to why this shouldn't happen."
Jim Daniels, parking manager at Gloucestershire County Council, said the moves were a bid to protect residents' spaces from commuters, who flood the area before walking into town.
He said: "We received a petition from residents in the area asking for a permit zone to be created in these roads because of a perceived increase in commuter parking. We investigated the issues and found there was a parking problem in the neighbourhood. Working with the community, we have come up with proposals for permit parking and parking restrictions and have been consulting on possibly implementing the scheme."
Have your say email on permit.consultation@gloucestershire.gov.uk
6 Comments
by janeinsitting
Tuesday, March 19 2013, 3:53PM
“elgoog - I accept your comment; but isn't it amazing that at after 5:30 (when the majority of businness close for the day) there are plenty of spaces in our road, but the same cars return 8:30 the following morning! As I understand it (and I could be wrong) each household is limited to two parking permits with 'vouchers' for any visitors they have during the day to park.”
by elgoog
Tuesday, March 19 2013, 3:27PM
“janeinsitting, You could well have to continue to park in another road even if you pay the £80. It will not guarantee you a space since the number of spaces available is not limited to the number of feepayers.”
by janeinsitting
Tuesday, March 19 2013, 2:17PM
“Although my road does not have permit parking, I would happily pay £80 a year if it stopped dozens (no exaggeration) of commuters parking in the road I live (Queens Retreat). I totally understand as long as the car is road legal with a tax disc they can park anywhere legally, but in the past 2 years the problem is getting worse and worse and I commonly have to park in another road until 5:30 when all the commuters leave. My personal circumstances, but my opinion too.”
by Matt1006
Tuesday, March 19 2013, 10:19AM
“Another sign that the eventual intension is to have permit-only and/or pay & display parking on all roads within a reasonable walking distance of the town centre. Yes, it is a parking tax.
2 weeks until the new on-street parking enforcement regime comes into play, so things could get even more interesting then, on the assumption that the new contractor does a better job (wouldn't be difficult) of enforcing restrictions more than a 5-minute walk from the Municipal Offices. Hopefully the days of some motorists parking where they like thinking they won't get a ticket are very much numbered.”
by galopede
Tuesday, March 19 2013, 9:41AM
“and why are commuters parking there? Because the areas further in have been forced to have parking permits.
It is a self promulgating scam for tax. As each area gets permits, the public have to park further out. This causes more parking problems in the next area so the council suggest parking permits and it all starts again.
My area, Naunton Park, has fought the permits off once but eventually I am certain we will be forced to pay the parking tax.”
by TheNub
Tuesday, March 19 2013, 8:55AM
“its just another tax grab”