Parish Council pursues its own agenda on Parking Scheme
I understand the PC is still pushing ahead with this scheme despite:
- our district councillor, Ken Crookes, presenting them with strong survey evidence that there was no support for it
- it is opposed by the Odiham Society on behalf of residents
- it is opposed by the OTMG on behalf of members and businesses
- it is opposed by Neighbourhood Watch
This scheme will:
- reduce the total amount of parking available in the village
- not give anyone paying a lot of money for a permit any guaranteed parking
- be a significant cost hit on retailers and threaten their viability
- be a significant cost and bureaucratic nightmare for residents
What is their reason? Where is their support? What is their right - when their job is to respresent the views of residents - not push their own agenda? 90% of them don't even live in the affected area
I know that Ken Crookes was the original sponsor of this scheme. But he is now aware that we really don't want it - and has told the PC they should also change their position. What will make them do it?
The responsibility is down to you, yes you, as an individual. If you think this scheme is not right, then tell the PC and councillors right now - ring, write, speak, e-mail, go to the next meeting on the 27th - and tell them what to do. If you don't, then you will take the consequences.
I've fired off an email to the Parish Council indicating that the company I work for, Pixel Scene, are concerned about the impact the parking scheme will have on their employees.
The impact is completely negative for the company, there are no benefits at all.
Considering that all of the staff members use retailers in the village on a daily basis, it seems unfair that they will incur additional cost, on top of their daily commute, simply to park at thier place of work.
The inevitable result will be a jockying for position in the few free parking spaces allocated - spaces which already result in traffic blockage near Church street.
That's helpful Matthew - and thanks for responding so quickly. Let's hope the other local businesses follow your example - otherwise they will suffer.
If you can encourage any of your network contacts to follow your example, that would be an added benefit!
There is now another way to oppose the scheme.
Please sign the STOPS petition.
Several shops in the High Street have posters displaying the wording and forms to sign.
However this should not stop you contacting your Parish Councillors and making your views clear to them.