Coulsdon residents campaign for more free parking in town centre
by Dave Burke
dave.burke@essnmedia.co.uk
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UNWELCOME: Protesters say parking meters along Brighton Road will not be accepted, ahead of a fresh public consultation
Photo: CCRdf290509a by Danny Fitzpatrick
Council bosses have been warned they face a fresh battle over plans to put up parking meters in the middle of Coulsdon.
Even though transport chiefs agreed to continue one hour of free parking along Brighton Road for the next year, critics fear motorists could be hit with a price hike as soon as the year expires.
They are now calling for assurances that free parking will remain in place for five years – or they plan to bombard the council with protests during the next public consultation into the meter plan, which starts on Wednesday.
But the council said it had already made a special exception by giving Brighton Road one-hour free parking, and was unable to make further assurances.
Peter Morgan, the road safety representative on the Coulsdon Neighbourhood Partnership, told the Advertiser this week: "In return for the people of Coulsdon accepting pay-and-display meters, the council must agree to one-hour free parking (instead of 30 minutes) throughout the centre of Coulsdon.
"In addition, we want the council to promise to keep the one-hour no charge for at least five years.
"If that happens, we could agree to call off the campaign."
He continued: "I think most of the objection would fade away if they made that commitment.
"If they don't make that commitment, we don't trust them.
"We think they'll introduce parking charges after the next election."
Mr Morgan also said critics were considering standing against existing councillors in the next local authority elections.
Janet Stollery, from the Old Coulsdon Residents Association, who has campaigned against the parking charges, told the Advertiser: "We're not letting this rest. We're not giving up our fight yet."
Councillor Mike Fisher, leader of Croydon Council, said he was baffled by the level of opposition.
"I find it very frustrating that there are people building up a head of steam when they've done very well getting an hour of free parking.
"Let me make it plain that we've got no plans to increase the parking charges in Coulsdon in the foreseeable future."
A spokesman from Croydon Council confirmed that a public notice about the parking meters would be issued next Wednesday, and people affected by the measure would then have 28 days to respond.
4 Comments
by A Davis, Purley
Wednesday, August 19 2009, 1:10PM
“The problem with Coulsdon town centre is that it is slowly dying and if it is made more difficult to park more business will leave, and then even if the Council introduce parking charges it will not matter as there will be nothing left to visit. Recently Aldi have pulled their planning application, Sainsbury's are not apparrantly proceeding with theirs and other traders are suffering because of the mess that has been made of the town centre.
I am sure when it is finally completed it will only be a matter of time before there is a very serious accident.”
by Mike, Old Coulsdon
Wednesday, August 19 2009, 10:35AM
“I am happy with have been given an hour, most places in the UK you pay as soon as you arrive !”
by David, South Croydon
Tuesday, August 18 2009, 2:09PM
“One thing they do need to fix in Coulsdon is the shoddy road surface. New fancy sections have been added to the road, but the joins with the standard surface as extremely poor. This is dangerous for both cyclists and motorcyclists.”
by Arfur Daley, Croydon
Tuesday, August 18 2009, 1:19PM
“People need to realise the council is cash-strapped. Somebody needs to pay for all those diversity advisers and outreach coordinators. The council doesn't care if it strangles businesses in the process, like a parasite killing its host.”