News

A personal view by Dave C

I read with interest this week's front page stories, in the local printed press, reporting a mass jobs exodus from Folkestone by local employer SAGA, due to the current parking debate about free on street parking being removed.

The truth of the matter in this case, is that the SAGA site at Enbrook in Sandgate has insufficient onsite staff parking facilities, so that hundreds of cars are parked all day in the surrounding residential roads.

Since double yellow lines were painted last year to protect junctions from pavement parking by SAGA staff, the problem has increased due to them now parking on both sides of the road, causing a virtual no go area for heavy delivery lorries and buses. Almost daily, traffic from opposite directions now has to use open residential driveways to pass each other, with head on accidents a daily possibility.

Cars parked on both sides of the road near to the Saga site   Photo: Dave C

So now Highways have decided to put down time restricted parking lines to safeguard the area, not to remove free on-street parking, which will still be available 6pm to 8am and weekends.

A classic situation where residents are faced with inconsiderate and ignorant parking, destroying the very peace and quiet which makes the area residential and who will now face the same yellow line restrictions as the staff causing the problem.

A situation, which I do agree, was instigated through total lack of basic research and consultation by planners on both sides, SDC and SAGA, and one which should not be repeated in the town centres of Shepway.

© Hawkinge Gazette and Channel Coast News 2012