New measures proposed for almost 50 roads Yellow line blitz on district’s streets

Almost 50 more streets across the district could be painted with double yellow lines as part of a raft of new measures to tackle problem parking.

The plan forms part of a scheme by Canterbury City Council to ease pressure on roads typically hit with congestion and obstructions caused by parked cars.

Among the proposals are new or extended double yellow lines, pavement parking bans and new single yellow lines.

There could also be a rise in the cost of permits across the district, as well as increased pay and display charges in Herne Bay and Whitstable

If the plans - which form part of the council’s annual parking review - are approved, changes could be seen within a year.

Cllr Ben Fitter-harding, chairman of the council’s regeneration and property committee, says many of the requests have been put forward by residents, councillors and organisations affected by parking issues.

“We do this once a year and it’s one of our most important consultations as it affects such a large number of roads and people,” he said.

“These issues are a real bugbear for some residents and we’re trying to fix problems that are part of their every day life - if you’ve got a car parking in front of your drive or there’s a bus that can’t get through, this affects you directly.

Cllr Fitter-harding adds it is important the public gets involved and has a say.

“A proposed solution in one road may have a knock- on effect further down the road or in another street, so it’s really important to hear the views of the wider community before we make any changes,” he added.

In addition to planned new double and single yellow lines, 18 roads across Canterbury, Whitstable and Herne Bay could see drivers banned from parking on pavements or verges, including in City View by The Canterbury Primary School.

Other planned changes are for on-street parking permits in the city to increase by £7 - from £138 to £145 - and by £3 in two-hour and four-hour zones, to £86 and £63 respectively.

In Whitstable and Herne Bay, permits could go up by £3, from £55 to £58.

On-street pay and display fees in Whitstable could rise by 10p to £1.90 per hour and in Central Parade in Herne Bay, up 10p to £1.20.

In Canterbury city centre, Old Dover Road, Lower Chantry Lane and Beer Cart Lane have been earmarked for loading bans.

Cllr Fitter-harding says the review will be discussed in the Canterbury, Whitstable and Herne Bay forums and a decision on which proposals to implement decided by the joint transportation board on Thursday, March 21.

All the proposals and a questionnaire are available at www. canterbury.gov.uk/consultations. Paper copies of can be requested by calling 01227 862059. The deadline for feedback is Friday, February 15.

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