Shepway Council Parking Consultation

12.39.55pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 22nd May 2008

Shepway Council are consulting on the introduction of a Controlled Parking Zone in Central Folkestone, which would see all residents who wish to park on streets near their home pay for a new parking permit.

During the hours when the parking controls operate anyone parking on-street has to park in a parking bay and display one of the following: a permit, a visitor's voucher or a pay and display ticket. There would be a number of different types of parking bays in the CPZ.

• Permit holder only bays - available to residents and other permit holders only.

• Pay & Display bays - these will be near shops and businesses where limited waiting by customers/visitors is desirable. Permit holders will not be able to use these bays during the hours of operation.

• Shared Use Bays - these can be used by resident and other permit holders of the zone and also by those displaying a parking voucher which can be purchased from local retailers.

• Loading bays - available for businesses requiring a bay for loading/unloading at specified times.

Lib Dem Shepway District Councillor Tim Prater has already raised the issue of charging residents for permits at a recent full Council meeting, proposing instead that at a scheme be considered that offered at least one free permit to each household. The proposal was backed by the Liberal Democrats and Conservative Malcolm Dearden, but voted down by the Conservative group. Cllr Prater said:

"There is a need to look at parking issues in our area, but the consultation on this scheme is faulty, is restrictive in who it is asking for opinions, and seems focused on making as much money as possible.

"There is no need to charge residents for the first permit - Nottingham and Reading Councils offer free permits for example. If Shepway are serious about giving local residents a fair deal instead of just introducing a new parking tax, they should look at free permits very carefully."

Leaflets have been distributed to every address within the Folkestone Central zone with a questionnaire to enable residents and businesses to give their views. These proposals are very detailed and exhibitions are being held at the Civic Centre to explain in more detail what is proposed and to enable people to view the plans.

Exhibitions are being held on:

• 29 May 11:00 to 15:00

• 30 May 15:00 to 19:00

• 31 May 11:00 to 15:00

...in the Boulogne Room at the Civic Centre, Castle Hill Avenue.

If you have any queries about the proposals, ring the Consultation Team on 01303 853690 or e mail: folkestoneconsultation@aparking.co.uk.