Fines driving people away
I WAS driving along the Promenade on Bank Holiday Monday at about 8.30am – nobody around, just me, some seagulls... and a parking warden writing out a ticket.
This isn’t the first time I’ve seen this happen early on a Bank Holiday.
The council has always claimed that parking enforcement is not about the money, but about clamping down on inconsiderate motorists and freeing up parking spaces.
So what harm was the car doing that I saw parked in splendid isolation at 8.30am on a bank holiday, dozens of free spaces around it in all directions?
Presumably either a visitor to the town had left it there to be close to the Royal Clifton or other hotel, or else the driver was a law-abiding citizen who’d had a few drinks on Sunday night and sensibly left their car where it was.
Does the council want to encourage people to drink and drive for fear of getting a ticket?
Why can they not allow a period of grace until, say, 10am at weekends and bank holidays?
The council seems unable to grasp the PR own goal it scores every time it issues an unfair and unjustified parking ticket like this, no doubt sending the driver away to spend his money in another town in the future or, worse, risk driving home after a night out.
Name and address supplied
SEEING RED
THE plan to eradicate the special identity of Lord Street by removing its famous “Red Carpet” and replacing it with black Tarmac cannot be ignored and left to be permitted by the members of Sefton Council.
For those old or interested enough to remember, over many years Southport’s special features have been allowed to be removed, destroyed or demolished.
Unlike towns such as Harrogate and Buxton which have guarded their heritage and now reap all the benefits that this care provides, including attracting and maintaining excellent shopping, Southport has torn away its history with abandon.
For example, the outstanding Birkdale Library with the adjoining police station, town hall, fire station etc, the miles and miles of golden sands etc.
Lord Street is now on the edge.
Too many charity shops, due to the ridiculously high business rates and almost impossible parking have forced the interesting and diverse shops which attract visitors out of the town.
Sefton need to wake up to this and realise this asset needs to be treated as a special case.
Name and address supplied
RED IS THE COLOUR
REGARDING the resurfacing of Lord Street, which is fantastic.
The only concern is it’s going to be done with black Tarmac, which personally is very depressing!
Why not keep within the look of Lord Street with the red old buildings?
I’ve lived in Southport and my parents before me for many years.
A red asphalt resurfaced replacement will look fantastic and in keeping with all the beautiful old buildings... please don’t spoil Southport! Glenys Coney via email
SHAME ON COUNCIL
RESURFACING Lord Street with black Tarmac is disgraceful and a complete slap in the face for Southport from our totally Bootle-focused councillors.
We should support John Pugh’s campaign to get us out of Merseyside and back into Lancashire where our historic town would be more appreciated. Shame on Bootle Council. Derek Evans
Southport
KEEP STREET RED
IN THE 1970s, when my daughter was three years old, she used to talk