Using the central area as a park and ride: This issue is often raised but we have not received any factual evidence. It is suggested that some of the all day parking is in actual fact by individuals who live outside the locality, but work in the central area.The Parish Council has in recent times discussed the question of how best to police the car park. Installation of a meter was considered but the initial cost and ongoing supervision would result in a need to provide funding from the Parish Council tax. This option was not acceptable to Members acting on your behalf.
Restricted time parking in the whole parish: This would penalise those living in properties built without a garage or off-road parking space. It would, in my view, cause massive resentment. The Parish Council has no control on how the parking wardens are deployed. However, from personal observation, they do visit outside normal working hours.
It is very early to comment about the current temporary one-way system. At the time of writing this article, normal parking has resumed outside the medical centre but the High Street is still very difficult. Certainly, if it is adopted alterations for pedestrians would need to be considered.
One question you could ask yourself is: “DO I REALLY NEED TO USE MY CAR?” Your immediate response is likely to be “YES!” I am quite sure that many health professionals would pose this question in a much more blunt fashion. The village as a whole would look and feel better if more individuals used “Shanks’ Pony” or a cycle.
(Article supplied by Parish Cllr Allen Wood)