Park, pay then play!
Councillor's Churchill and Farrer
recently attended a meeting with Executive Councillor Nick Guyatt over the
plight of the Riverside car park.
Despite a full and frank
exchange, it is disappointing that no agreement could be reached between
Councillor's Churchill & Farrer with the powers that be at HDC!
Under delegated powers,
Councillor Guyatt will now issue orders for the removal of the free parking
spaces at the Riverside car park.
Councillor Churchill explained.
"This is a move which cannot
be supported by either Councillor Farrer or myself. We have been against
parking charges for this car park right from the start because of its high
leisure use and we were given assurance at a meeting between Cllr. Farrer and
myself with the leadership of the council back in August 20111 that they saw no
reason as to why car parking charges could not be removed from this car park. Even
a consultation between elected members of HDC in respect of the Riverside Car Park
held this time last year, 57% of the councillors who responded stated that
there should be no charging”.
“However, these assurances have
not been fulfilled, In fact the situation is now one of detriment to residents who
take their children to play in the park, as the free 2 hour parking spaces will
be removed”.
“We believe this decision leads the way for other local leisure
facility car parks to be chargeable! We feel that HDC should not be charging
residents with their children for parking to use the swings, roundabouts and
climbing frames or residents to just enjoy a walk in the park, walk their dogs
or enjoy a cup of tea in the restaurant.”
