Consultation is open on Thanet District Council’s plan to change free car parks and on-street parking areas across the isle to pay and display and bring in a batch of new resident’s permits.
The changes would take place in three phases.
Phase one of the scheme is due to be implemented after June and phase 2 and 3 implemented over the next 12 to 18 months, depending on the outcome of the consultation.
The proposals will bring in additional annual revenue to Thanet council of £90k and the proposed future phases for on street schemes could bring in additional annual revenue of approximately £300k per year. The aim is to plug the gap left by cuts to council grants from central government.
The proposals will allow disabled badge holders to park within any pay and display bay by using their blue badge.
The consultation period, which Cabinet members agreed last month, runs until June 6.
The plans have faced a public backlash from angry traders and motorists.
Comments can be submitted to [email protected]
What now?
Comments will be presented to the council’s Joint Transportation Board at their next meeting, currently scheduled for 22 June.
A formal statutory consultation on the proposed phase one scheme will then take place and the feedback will be considered before a final decision by Cabinet is made.