Parking penalties should be rescinded

No one is suggesting that the situation faced by Canterbury council when a large group of caravans turned up at the Neptune car park in Herne Bay at the weekend was an easy one to resolve. It took the decision not to impose parking tickets on the travellers because it would have “inflamed the situation”. But why does it think that?

We understand that our “visitors” were actually reasonably well behaved and boosted the takings of some seafront establishments, Wetherspoons to name just one.

But while they were having a great weekend with free accommodation and great sea views, boat users were prevented from using the jetty, some drivers were getting parking fines and we all then had to pick up the bill for clearing up the mess left behind.

Canterbury council will not be the first authority faced with the dilemma of what to do in this situation, but its decision to pretty much wash its hands will be seen as an abject failure of its responsibilities. An Easter weekend ruined for lots of people, or at the very least spoiled.

The first thing it can do to regain some face is declare an amnesty for any other parking fines issued in Herne Bay all the time that a key parking area was being used illegally with impunity.

It also needs to have a plan to deal with similar situations as it was caught on the hop on an important weekend for the district’s economy and people’s general enjoyment. It has to be seen to treat people fairly and equally, frankly using the “inflaming” card is a cop-out. Where does that kind of approach end, and what damage does it cause in relations with the community?

The council has been keen enough to stop caravans parking up along other prime seafront spots, like Slopes, with restriction signs at ludicrously close intervals. Presumably they now only apply to certain owners of caravans. Yes, the mugs who may actually politely pay up.