Campaigns [1]: Free parking in Folkestone - not ruled out says Shepway Council Leader [2]
Posted by editor on Oct 31, 2011 - 05:15 AM
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Shepway
District Council Leader Robert Bliss has stated that free parking in
shopping areas has not been ruled out. |
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Cllr
Bliss wants to drive home the message that the council has not ruled out
free parking in the district’s shopping areas.
Responding to protests that claimed charging drivers to park in shopping
areas would kill trade, he said: “One of the objectives of our parking
strategy is actually to support local businesses by encouraging a
greater turn-over of vehicles in convenient high street parking spaces.
“We want to make it easier to find convenient parking for that quick
trip to the shops. We believe that one way of achieving this might be to
offer free parking for a short period and at the same time lower costs
in our car parks for those people who want a longer shopping trip.
“This is not new, but these facts seem to have been lost in the protests
so far. Our parking strategy sets out options. And this is just what
they are.
“I am also keen to ensure that everyone in our local communities has a
chance to express their views, not only those who - for whatever reason
- have been voicing their protest in advance of the consultation.”
Hawkinge Gazette and Channel Coast
News 2011©
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Comments
The reputation of SDC in 'consulting' and then going ahead with its own ideas anyway, is at the root of protests against the 'parking consultation.' Total mistrust in its process and hidden agenda is what is driving these protests now, regardless of future debate.
I suggest Mr Bliss first looks at the very first line of the Consultation Document currently on the SDC website.
I quote.. " Major changes to parking in town centres and seafronts across the district have been agreed by Shepway Council's Cabinet."
The significant wording is ' ... have been agreed '.This is enough to send a shiver down anyones spine on Halloween or any other day.
I just looked at the proposal document myself and it does in fact offer some interesting options, hidden amongst the more major changes. As always it is far too complicated for the average consumer, so I suggest SDC promote the document in a more user friendly way.
Their reputation does not help to allay fears of a hidden agenda to simply increase revenue from under performing Pay and Display car parks... which it quite clearly states is the main problem.
http://www.shepway.gov.uk/content/view/201282/235/
Prior to the public meeting which I chaired I had access to an internal SDC presentation. Within it were the following two bullet points:
* New ON-STREET gross income estimate £1.6m (Subject to agency agreement with KCC)
* Annual costs of ON-STREET P & D £145k
If he hasn't ruled out free on-street parking then how does he explain these two lines away?
The whole parking issue just highlights how SDC councillors think they can just go ahead and do whatever they want without consulting the people who voted for them and also how out of touch they are with this district. Even the local MP (a member of their political party) has criticised them.
This is just a vast money making exercise andf if they really intended to consult the people then why didn't they do so widely before producing this document and making a cabinet decision. the whole thing smacks of smoke and mirrors and a done deal.
Rumours abound that the company employed to enforce the parking restrictions are only supplying staff with uniforms, all equipment needed, wages and pensions will be be paid by the council tax payers, via SDC.
The council needs to put this to rest.
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