Parking permit plan put on hold ‘pending consultation’

Plans to use parking permits in parts of Ashford have been put on hold.

Last week, residents were surprised by the sudden appearance of signs, letters and permits from UK Car Park Management (CPM) stating that people would need a permit when parking their cars in certain areas of Newtown.

Ashford Borough Council had arranged this with CPM because of problems with train commuters and visitors to Ashford Designer Outlet parking in the area.

However, residents complained about the permits because some people were unsure where they could park and because households only received one permit when many had multiple vehicles.

A meeting to discuss the permits was held on Monday with residents, the South Willesborough and Newtown Community Group, and representatives of Ashford council’s housing team.

The parking permits for the Newtown Green area – Wainwright Place, Belmont Place, Maunsell Place, Bulleid Place and Baxendale Court – have now been put on hold “pending further consultation”.

Maunsell Place resident James Hazeldon said only some areas of Newtown were affected by commuter parking: “The problem is the commuters and shoppers that park up the top. If you move the problem from one place it will just move further down – they need to solve the problem in the first place.

“I am happy with the outcome of the meeting; it’s all about moving forward now.”

An Ashford council spokesman said: “The concerns of residents were listened to by a representative from the council’s housing team and the decision was taken that residents will receive further literature through their doors and asked to give feedback about the plans.

“While the trial has been introduced in a large number of the housing-owned car parks it may work in some and not in others, so it may end up in some areas but not in others.

“We will listen to the constructive feedback of residents this is a trial and we will evaluate how effective the measures are in the coming weeks.”

A second meeting will be held next month to decide the future of the parking permits in Newtown.

Meanwhile, CPM has been told by Kent County Council to remove its signs from Newtown.

Parking permit plans have been put on hold in Newtown