Riverside Car Park charges...

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.”