Climbdown signalled on parking charges
COUNCIL officials admit the authority has seen a huge backlash against controversial plans to scrap free parking in the East Riding.
Speaking for the first time since the last of a series of roadshows on the issue, the chairman of a panel behind the proposals said opposition to the idea had been enormous.
And Councillor Felicity Temple said a rethink over the plans was likely.
About 30,000 people have signed petitions – including the Mail's Park The Charges campaign – calling for parking to remain free at 20 council-run sites in the area.
Another 700 questionnaires distributed at the nine roadshows have been returned to East Riding Council.
In addition, the authority has received more than 100 letters on the subject.
A breakdown of the responses has yet to be carried out.
But Cllr Temple acknowledged the vast majority were against the charges.
She said: "The roadshows were an opportunity to try to explain to people how we had arrived at our recommendations and to ask for other solutions.
"I am not sure we had as many solutions as we were hoping for because people were basically saying they did not want it.
"It was a good exercise and we have listened. Now, we have got to find a third way."
She said the petitions, letters and questionnaires would be studied before the review panel reconvened.
She said: "We have just been through quite a long process and there is another long process to come.
"We need to analyse the responses to try to glean some of the suggestions people have put forward, but I am not sure how long that will take."
As the Mail has reported, there is believed to be some opposition to the panel's original recommendations in the council's ruling Conservative group.
Some councillors want to see an across-the-board charging policy at the authority's car parks, arguing it is unfair to towns such as Beverley and Bridlington, where motorists have been charged to park for years.
But others believe introducing charges in towns and villages such as Cottingham, Willerby, Anlaby, Hessle and Pocklington will hurt traders by driving shoppers elsewhere.
If given the go-ahead, charges would start at 50p for one hour in short-stay car parks.
However, it is understood some senior councillors now want a limited period of free parking to be allowed instead.
Newsagent John Turnbull, of Anlaby, said parking charges would be the death of the village and questioned whether Cllr Temple's "third way" would take into consideration the suggestions traders had submitted.
He said: "What I find incredible is the way the committee seems to want to make decisions with blinkers on and now won't go back on plans to bring in the charges."
10 Comments
by Charles, Cott
Thursday, June 25 2009, 1:16AM
“Get some backbone ERYC. These very small businesses have no mandate to dictate to you. Car drivers are a nuisance and should be taxed for every penny you can get from them.
Sooner or later you're going to have to impose charges for parking because there is no way you can subsidize this freebie for ever.
So brace yourselves and impose a hefty fee on these polluting, inefficient, smelly machines.”
by TonyMac, Cottingham
Tuesday, June 23 2009, 5:07PM
“Mr Mitchel is probably & regrettably correct. Once machines are in place then the costs of providing the patrols and maintenance will dictate policy.
So where charges are appropriate e.g. areas with large tourist traffic and limited spaces allow charges to continue, this is a contribution into the local economy. Where parking is generally for residents shopping etc, let the burden fall on general taxation so that everybody pays and local shops continue to be supported.
If charging is rolled out, no doubt the voters can have their say and ensure all those who voted in favour are shown the door at the next opportunity!”
by peter, Hull
Tuesday, June 23 2009, 4:48PM
“R.Mitchell said beware of Greeks bringing gifts. This is true there are like Charmailions changing colour to the purpose.”
by Stuart, Hessle
Tuesday, June 23 2009, 4:04PM
“you will find that they will listen to everybody say no, disregard it and go ahead with the charges regardless. What the public should do is ignore the machines and refuse to pay any fines, they cannot prosecute everyone.
As soon as people start to put money into the machines, the council will have won.
These councillers must remember that they are there to serve us, not dictate to us”
by Peter, East Riding
Tuesday, June 23 2009, 3:29PM
“Now that the electorate have won this fight lets have another fight over the mess that ERCC have made of Boothferry Road, Hessle. it is speeding minefield. From 60mph, then 40mph, then 30mph and then 40mph. Any no warnings as to the change of speed limit. I am sure someone in the Road maintenance section has shares in road paint companies. This is just another complete waste of council taxpayers money and a council department just justifying its existence. It is time the ERCC council taxpayers took to the streets again.”
by Chubbs, Hull
Tuesday, June 23 2009, 1:17PM
“It will still be costing us because they now have to sift through all the opposition letters and analyse the responses.
Why is this necessary?
They don't need to study all the reasons. Surely the amount of letters etc shows the strength of opposition the reasons for the opposition is irrelevant.”
by Sir Lazarus, Tinseltown
Tuesday, June 23 2009, 10:21AM
“And just how much did this consultation on the blinkin obvious cost us Felicity?”
by Astonomia, East Riding
Tuesday, June 23 2009, 9:32AM
“Since Coun. Temple wanted to increase charges substantially in her home town of Driffield - meaning there would be NO free parking whatsoever - it was made very clear that she her councillor career would come to an abrubt end by the electorate in next years elections. Hence the climb down pit about the large amount of money wasted on consultations when it was obvious what people thought.”
by Jimbo, Beverley
Tuesday, June 23 2009, 7:26AM
“Well said R. Mitchell.
When parking charges were introduced in Beverley, Brid, etc., the Tory reasoning was that it would be gradually rolled out on an equal basis across the East Riding, to make all charging fair to all residents across the county.
However, that gradual roll out seemed to stop for years and then this was proposed in one big bombshell for all the other towns. And they wonder why people are up in arms!
ERYC have managed the whole affair very badly. The way they have ignored the public until the outcry was so blooming obvious shows the disregard some councillors have for the people they represent.
It just seems unfair that if the new charges are scrapped, some towns still have charges, which support the car parks in other charge-free areas. Personally, I think it has to be an 'all or nothing' situation - either no one pays, or we all pay a lower charge than those currently in place. Either way there is some fairness to the system.”
by R Mitchell, Hessle
Tuesday, June 23 2009, 7:08AM
“Sounds like success for those in the Tory party opposed to this scheme. However beware Greeks with gifts, or even Cllr Temple with a free hour parking. This year one hour, then it could be whittled down to 30 minutes the next and no free parking at all in 2 years! Once the machines are in place then the process will inexorably snowball.”