The DDC cabinet agreed on 15th January 2024 to delay the introduction of parking charges in rural car parks (including our Reach road and Bay) pending a full review. They admitted they had not spoken to your Parish Council and they needed to undertake a full consultation. Your correspondence, engagement and good arguments have won the day. This battle was won, the fight continues.
Watch this space
There is a proposal to start charging for parking in our Reach Road Car Park. This will be voted on Monday 15th January at a Dover District Council DDC Cabinet Meeting. We were informed by our eagle eyed DDC representative Martin Bates this week. He has extracted the details below.
- £1.80/hour – £10.80/day minimum charge of 50p plus the Ringo admin charge
- Mon- Sunday 8am – 6pm cashless – Ringo only
What do you think?
Please let these DDC councillors know as they will be voting. Cllr Charlotte Zosseder who is responsible for community and corporate property, Councillor Kevin Mills is the leader of the council and Councillor Jamie Pout is the deputy leader. The vote is this Monday!
Your Parish Council will be doing all in their power to fight this, more details below, but it will be the views of the community, your thoughts, your pain, your indignation and strength, that could swing this. Some of you can dust off emails from 2020 or 2022, others can write anew. What are your concerns? – the school, the nursery, the danger of unsafe street parking, our local businesses, their viability, the undermining of local efforts to improve road safety and reduce congestion and finally why you think St Margaret’s specific needs require it to be exempt from this proposal.
Email is quicker (addresses below) and we would appreciate being copied in too but you can also write to them c/o Dover District Council, White Cliffs Business Park, Whitfield, CT16 3PJ
cllr-charlotte.zosseder@dover.gov.uk
cllr-jamie.pout@dover.gov.uk
cllr-kevin.mills@dover.gov.uk
parish.clerk@stmargaretspc.co.uk
or cllr-charlotte.zosseder@dover.gov.uk; cllr-jamie.pout@dover.gov.uk; cllr-kevin.mills@dover.gov.uk; parish.clerk@stmargaretspc.co.uk
This link All 4 together may or may not work for you – if it does it should magically populate your email to all 4 of the above – ready for you to start writing – give it a go!
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PROPOSED PARKING CHARGES FOR 2024/25
3.3: The following is an extract from the DDC Cabinet Agenda which will go for approval at their next meeting on 15th January. It was published late in the afternoon on Friday 5th January. We are not sure of the exact amount proposed but is will be in the order of £1.80/hour with a minimum charge of 50p plus the Ringo admin charge. 7 days a week 8am – 6pm. There does not appear to be a maximum time limit. We understand that 14 carparks in Dover, 4 or 5 in Deal and rural Aylesham will remain free in the new proposals. For access to the complete papers go to Item 8 on this link:
(Public Pack)Agenda Document for Cabinet, 15/01/2024 18:00 (dover.gov.uk)
3.3: Car parking provision does not come for free, and the maintenance of the facilities provided are all at a significant cost to the Council. There are several car parks that have no charges but are well used. Some of these car parks also suffer from a low turnover, reducing the availability of spaces for all users. It is suggested that these should have charges introduced to relieve and prevent traffic congestion by the better management of the availability of parking spaces, and to generate income.
The suggested car parks are as follows:
- Borrow Pit, Walmer; Reach Road, St Margarets at Cliffe; High Street, Ash; High Street, Wingham; High Street, Eastry and Victoria Park, Deal.
The parking tariff within these car parks will match the existing tariffs and payments will be cashless only.
- Tides, Deal. There will be a free parking period of 3 hours for Tides users only.Other uses of the car park will be charged at £1.80 per hour.
- St Margarets Bay Car Park charges will apply all year round.
3.4: We have identified an increase in charges for both on and off-street pay & display of 20p per hour.
More information regarding the proposal for the Bay Carpark is here
If you wish to download and display this poster please do. click here for PDF poster
click here for a copy of the letter the Parish Council has sent to DDC
Some further thoughts from us:
We find ourselves, again, at a critical juncture concerning proposed parking changes in our cherished village. As representatives of the St. Margaret’s Parish Council, we’ve recently corresponded with the Dover District Council ahead of their Cabinet Meeting on January 15th. This meeting addresses a pivotal agenda item – the ‘Review Off and On Street Parking Charges’ in our district.
Our letter to the Dover District Council outlines significant concerns and points regarding the proposed changes, emphasizing the essential need to consider the nuanced impacts on our community before implementing any alterations.
One of the key issues highlighted pertains to Reach Road Car Park, a vital parking space for our village establishments, school access, and the flow of tourists. The potential introduction of charges in this area could have severe implications for our community. It’s crucial to note the integral role this car park plays in accommodating overflow parking for our local businesses, schools, and during peak tourism seasons.
Moreover, the proposed charges may significantly affect families associated with the local primary school. With limited alternative transport options, the potential impact on families due to increased parking charges is a concern we cannot overlook. It could inadvertently affect students’ education and families’ daily lives.
Staff members, particularly those earning near minimum wages, who rely on this parking facility, might face considerable challenges if these changes are implemented. Accessibility and affordability are pivotal for these hardworking individuals who contribute significantly to our community.
The shift towards a cashless payment system raises important concerns about potential biases, particularly for our elderly population who may not have access to smartphones. Ensuring equitable access to parking facilities remains a priority for us.
Additionally, the Reach Road Car Park’s CCTV system, integral in addressing past concerns related to anti-social behaviour and vandalism, is currently managed by the Parish Council. Any changes in management due to the proposed alterations will have implications for our community’s safety and security.
It’s imperative our concerns are heard and considered thoroughly. Our village’s well-being and economic vitality are deeply interconnected with these parking decisions. The Parish Council urges the Dover District Council to assess these issues comprehensively, ensuring a fair and balanced approach.
We appreciate your continued support and engagement as we navigate through this critical phase. Stay tuned for further updates and ways you can contribute to safeguarding our community’s interests.
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This page will be updated continuously.
Update: 15th January 2024 19:07
