A petition launched in protest at parking charges proposed for currently free to use spaces in Minnis Bay has gained 400 signatures in less than two days.
The seasonal charges at The Parade, and other isle sites, were first proposed by the council in April last year as part of a three phase scheme to change free car parks and on-street parking areas to pay and display and introduce resident permits.
During consultation on the proposals between 5 May and 6 June 2017 the council received 290 submissions and a petition of 1,029 signatories in relation to the Minnis Bay proposal.
Following the public outcry amendments were made to the scheme last October.
Amendments included removing Minster and Monkton car parks from the scheme and transferring them to the parish council and reducing the parking charge at Joss Bay and Minnis Bay from £2 per hour to £1.50ph and the moving the time the charge starts from 9am to 10am.
Thanet council said the revised scheme would bring in additional annual revenue of approximately £390k per year. The aim was to plug the gap left by cuts to council grants from central government.
The Parade at Minnis Bay was part of the final phase of the scheme.
Last month a council notice was put on the road to inform residents of the imminent order to introduce the seasonal charges changing free on-street parking spaces to pay and display.
The petition, created by Nick Blankley and being promoted by district councillor Suzanne Brimm, has branded the proposal as ‘unnecessary, unjustified, ill-informed, contradictory and undemocratic.’
Mr Blankley says: “There is no business case to support the proposed charges and there is no evidence, as required under the legislation, to support suggestions of problems at Minnis Bay with congestion, traffic flow or turnover. The proposal is opportunistic and the proposed charges are arbitrary.”
Cllr Brimm says she is angry that the charges are being pushed forward, claiming a Thanet council officer previously told her the scheme had been “kicked into the long grass.”
She says she has made an official complaint about being given incorrect information.
She added: “This will blight Minnis Bay’s residents lives as people will park on the green verges outside their houses before they pay to park.
“There were considerable objections to this scheme but the council is riding roughshod over everyone.”
A Thanet council spokesman said: “The charges were proposed to help on street spaces turn-over at an appropriate rate and include marking out bays in nuisance areas to help address the issues of inconsiderate parking for residents, improve pedestrian safety and encourage traffic flow.
“Funds raised will be used to help maintain our current parking stock and to fund improvements like the recently resurfaced Albion Road car park in Broadstairs. It will also mean we can explore future technological solutions like automated number plate registrations, solar power and smart parking to help improve car parking across the district.”
The petition
Find the petition here
Send in your views
Support or objections to the proposals can be sent to Uniformed Services Enforcement Manager, Council Offices, Cecil Street, Margate, CT9 1XZ before noon on May 29.
The revised scheme agreed in October
Barnes Car Park, Westbrook Car Park on seafront
Max day rate £1.50
Hours and charge per hour, 7am – 10pm 30p
Hartsdown Sports Centre Car Parks
Max day rate £3.20
Hours and hourly charge, 7am – 10pm 60p
Parking at the rear of the Winter Gardens
Max day rate £2.50
Hours and hourly charge, 7am – 10pm 50p
Joss Bay – Elmwood Avenue, Broadstairs.
Seasonal only charges. 10am – 6pm £1.50ph
Westbrook, Margate
Canterbury Road, Royal Crescent, Buenos Ayres, Station Road, Albert Road, Crescent Road, Garfield Road, Hatfeild Road, Seaview Terrace, Westbrook Road and Westbrook Cottages.
8am – 6pm
Residents Parking with some pay and display as per that years agreed fees and charges
Westgate Central, Westgate
St Mildreds Road, Station Road and Cuthbert Road, Westgate
8am – 6pm, maximum 2 hours
Residents Parking with some pay and display as per that years agreed fees and charges
Birchington East
Station Approach, Eastfield Road and Paddock Road
8am – 6pm, maximum 2 hours
Extension of the existing Residents Parking with some additional pay and display as per that years agreed fees and charges
Margate Old Town, Margate
The Parade, New Street, Fort Road, Broad Street, Lombard Street and New Cross Street, Margate
8am – 6pm, maximum 2 hours
Residents Parking with some pay and display as per that years agreed fees and charges
Broadstairs Victoria
Victoria Parade, Queens Gardens and West Cliff Avenue, Broadstairs
8am – 6pm, maximum 2 hours
Extension of the existing Residents Parking with some additional pay and display as per that years agreed fees and charges
Ramsgate Harbour, Ramsgate
Cliff Street, Rose Hill, Sion Hill, Prospect Terrace, Nelson Crescent and Paragon, Ramsgate
8am – 6pm, maximum 2 hours
Residents Parking with some pay and display as per that years agreed fees and charges
Ramsgate Eastcliff, Ramsgate
Wellington Crescent, Ramsgate
8am – 6pm, maximum 2 hours
Residents Parking with pay and display as per that years agreed fees and charges
Minnis Bay, Birchington
The Parade, Birchington. Seasonal only charges.
9am – 6pm, all day parking
£1.50ph
Botany Bay, Broadstairs
Possible extension and upgraded parking on Marine Drive. Seasonal only charges.
7am – 10pm, all day
On Street and Off Street pay and display as per that years agreed fees and charges
Mill Lane multi-storey, Harold Road car park and Vere Road car park will remain free on Saturdays.
