The only strong signal is Hurley’s concern

I am writing on behalf of the Hurley Village Association about the prosed charges for rural car parks in the Borough.

I am fully aware that any charge introduction for a currently free facility, will be unwelcome.

However in the case of Hurley Village there will be major unexpected consequences which result.

At present the well-known parking problem in the High Street, is largely restricted to sunny summer weekends, obviously made much worse during the current pandemic.

If charges are brought in, the first action for most car owners will be to seek a free space as near as possible, in the, at present unrestricted High Street.

This at a stroke will cause a year-round problem of congestion and potential obstruction for emergency vehicles to the river, and all properties at that end of the village.

The further issues, which have been well aired, relate to daily resident users, coming to walk by the river from Honey Lane and the top end of the village, and regular church attendees, who also come from surrounding parishes.

The use of mobile technology to implement the charges may well be a step too far for some of the more elderly , but this assumes that they can get a signal – a problem which is commonplace in Hurley.

I trust the council will take the strength of feeling into account when they make their budget deliberations at the end of the month.

STUART CRIPPS Chair, Hurley Village Association