Prater Presents Parking Petition

4.25.13pm GMT Thu 23rd Feb 2006

Shepway Council have bowed to Cheriton residents power and reduced proposed increases in parking charges. Having collected 100's of parking petition signatures from residents, Lib Dem Campaigner Tim Prater is pleased the Council has been forced to listen but wants the increases stopped totally.

Tim Prater said:

"Forcing the Council to reduce the price increase is a step forward. But it is still more expensive to park in Folkestone than in Dover, Maidstone or Ashford - further increases are just madness."

Tim attended the Council meeting this week to challenge the Council directly on their parking plans.

As well as presenting the hundreds of petitions already received, Tim asked the Council:

1. To explain why they think it's acceptable that it costs more per hour to park in Folkestone than in Ashford, Maidstone and Dover?

2. What assessment has been made of the impact on businesses of the introduction of charging to previously free car parks?

3. Do they understand the anger felt by local residents about increased charges, extended charging hours and the imposition of charges on new car parks, and will they scrap these decisions?

People First Cllr Cufley failed to answer the first point, confirmed NO real business assessment was made and dismissed local anger.

Tim Prater said:

"I think local residents have every right to be angry. They see high charges being increased further, and want a stop.

"To those who have already signed the petition - thank you - it's working! We will continue to collect signatures to help reverse all increases."