Residents in Kingsgate say they are furious after a private parking control company has been brought in on two unadopted roads – and householders told they will have to get £20 refundable permits for any visitors wanting to park.
The decision was made by the residents committee in a bid to alleviate the problems encountered by residents in the Summer due to inconsiderate parking from beach visitors. Each household automatically has two permits but will need extra if they are visited by anyone with a vehicle.
The Kinggate community residents committee has now implemented from today (Good Friday) a scheme via private enforcement company CPM.
Anyone parking without the permit could face a £100 fine.
But residents say many of them were not at the meeting when the vote was taken and question the method of getting the visitor permits for Kingsgate and Fitzroy Avenues.
One resident told The Isle of Thanet News: “ You have to ring a certain committee member and then walk down to her house and pay the £20 for the permit. What if she isn’t in? What if my family turn up and I do not have £20 handy? What if there are five cars and I have to find £100 on the spot?”
Residents also say no provision has been made for disabled parking. The resident said: “We are told they will just have to find somewhere else!
“After the parking chaos last year and the year before we all understand there has to be a solution but this is not the answer.”
There is also some confusion over when the restrictions apply. The newly installed signs indicate permits are needed 24/7 all year around. But a resident said they had been informed via the committee that restriction were for weekends from April until September.
There is also a query raised over signs saying to park in marked bays – there are as yet no marked bays.
A post from the Neighbourhood Engagement Meeting page says: “At the NEM on Tuesday evening, the parking situation in Kingsgate was discussed. Kingsgate Avenue and Fitzroy Avenue are unadopted roads maintained by a residents’ committee.
“They have employed CPM, a private company, to control the parking in these roads. The signs are clearly displayed and therefore any parking charges issued are legally enforceable. CPM will have wardens on patrol throughout the Easter Bank Holiday period.”
Unadopted roads do not have to be adequately maintained by the highway authority under the Highways Act 1980. A legal duty to maintain the roads still exists, but it falls onto the owners of any properties fronting that highway.
