There’s been no consultation on car parking fees in Bexhill

In March 2008, part 6 of Traffic Management Act 2004 replaced the Road Traffic Act 1991 as the legislation for on street parking enforcement in England. Since then most of 327 areas have changed from a parking offence being criminal and enforced by the police to civil law enforced by local authorities. Leaving only 10 with police issuing tickets or not.

Locally 16 years of talk, consultations, revisions have taken place, it is not ideal but it has been discussed at length via town forum and others with a democratic system of the previous Rother group and ESCC working together.

This contrasts with RDC’s Cabinet recent decision to resolve that some off-street car parks currently free, will now have charges. No discussion with the public or car park users, no working or task and finish groups, no scrutiny, with Cabinet making decision without referring to Full Council. Like a car dumped on a pavement with no consideration for others.

There is much wrong with not only the process but the oddity of charges and times of implementation. Why is it that ESCC’s annual charge on street is £25 but RDC is £321 per year, also charging till 8pm when ESCC’s stops at 6pm? Why should Manor Barn have much greater charges than Little Common or even why charge in Manor Barn, keep it free to park as it is mainly used for doctor’s surgery, nobody chooses to go to the doctors!

I own 7 bicycles and no car but have every sympathy for people who need a car as their main choice of travel, sustainable transport should not be about alienating one group. Please RDC do not start charging me for bringing my bike to town.

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