Kentish Express Ashford & District
‘No return’ parking times set to change
mmilehamchappell@thekmgroup.co.uk The ‘no return’ times in parking bays across Ashford town centre are set to be increased from two to four hours.
Ashford Borough Council (ABC) is set to double the time limit that prevents motorists returning to park in the same parking zone.
The time change aims to ensure free parking bays in the town’s Controlled Parking Zones (CPZ) are used by as many drivers as possible and not abused.
New legislation allows ABC to enforce no return times in residential streets, meaning cars without permits can’t return to the same zone within four hours.
An ABC spokesman said: “The controlled parking zones allow drivers to park for free for up to two hours without a permit.
“This enables people to visit family and friends for a short period, whilst at the same time affording residents somewhere to park.
“Residents with visitors wish- ing to spend a whole day have the option of purchasing visitor permits.
“If visitors wish to stay longer in the town there are a number of car parks available, and free parking after 3pm is offered in the Edinburgh Road car park.
“The spaces in the CPZ areas are well-used and very busy.
“So, to help more people use the free parking available the council will be using the existing legislation available to enforce the no return to the same zone within four hours.
“It is anticipated the legislation will come into force in the coming months.”
Information and signs will be put out in the affected areas to make motorists aware.
The affected zones in Ashford cover the following roads:
Zone A – Barrow Hill, Barrow Hill Cottages, Barrow Hill Place, Barrow Hill Terrace, Eastern Avenue, part of Forge Lane and Godinton Road, Gravel Walk, James Street, Kings Avenue, Kipling Road, Marlowe Road, Milton Road, Norwood Gardens, Sackville Crescent and Western Avenue.
Zone B – Albert Road, Blue Line Lane, parts of Canterbury Road, Hardinge Road, Hollington Place, Kent Avenue, parts of Magazine Road, New Street and North Street, Park Road North, Queens Road (Upper and Lower), part of Somerset Road, Sturges Road, Sussex Avenue, Wall Road, Wellesley Road and Wolseley Place.
Zone F – Kennington Road, Willesborough Lees (from its junction with M20 Junction 10 to No. 29 inclusive), Lacton Oast, Lees Road (from its junction with Kennington Road to Silver Hill Road), Longbridge, The Street in Willesborough Lees and Yeoman Gardens.
Zone G – Victoria Crescent and parts of Victoria Road.
For more information visit www.ashford.gov.uk/free-parking.
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