Review of parking permits across Northampton launched
Tony Clarke pictured with parking signs on Ethel Street, The Mounts.
A FULL review of residents’ parking zones in Northampton is due to be launched after years of complaints about the controversial scheme.
Residents-only parking areas were introduced in a number of Northampton’s most congested streets several years ago.
But many residents complained the high number of permits issued made it difficult for drivers to find spaces and the strict time limits for when permits must be displayed made it difficult for many people to have visitors.
The issue reached a head in September last year when former MP Tony Clarke, who is now a member of Northamptonshire County Council, won an appeal against tickets given to him by the authority after successfully claiming the parking zones were not being operated properly.
County Hall is now reviewing all the parking zones, asking residents if they still supported the idea of parking permits, what hours they should be used and whether the number of permits issued to each house should be limited.
A spokesman for the council said: “We’ve been carrying out an area-by- area review of parking restrictions across the county over the past two years.
“We’re now looking at Northampton and are carrying out a review of all residents’ parking zones in the town to ensure they’re fit for purpose and still meet the needs of the community.
“Consultation is now starting with a view to implementing any changes at the end of the year.”
The review also asks residents whether permits should be used seven days a week and whether they should be displayed 24 hours a day or for shorter periods.
The review has been welcomed by Councillor Clarke (Ind, Castle), but he has warned the council must listen to people’s views before implementing any changes.
He said: “It’s clear they’ve accepted the traffic regulation orders for residents’ parking are not up to date, so I hope they’ve finally learned their lesson.
“All residents want is to be able to park outside their homes and not be used as cash-cows and penalised because of where they live.”
The council review begins on Friday and runs until February 10. Residents can take part in the online survey by visiting the consultation section on the council’s website at www.northamptonshire.gov.uk or by calling the council on Northampton 364566.
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Comments
There are 12 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
Tony Clarke
Thursday, January 19, 2012 at 08:13 PMComment Removed, much obliged and grateful for your comments. If you can bear the tedium then you can find the full sorry saga and all the details related to this story here: http:tonyclarkeindependent.blogspot.com201109traffic-wardens-become-lawbreakers.html
Comment Removed
Thursday, January 19, 2012 at 04:13 PMOK Mr Clarke. You've made an effort to respond and that wins you brownie points and respect. I was told what I was told but I'm prepared to listen to your side of the story.
Tony Clarke
Thursday, January 19, 2012 at 03:09 PMComment removed, I don't want to spoil your fun but if you ask your friend at the council they will tell you that the review already underway was purely looking at creating extra spaces and it was only after I won 10 cases against the council at traffic penalty tribunal that we were able to prove that the signage and traffic regulation orders were not legal and would need renewing and updating. In fact the council flatly refused to review the TRO as you will see in the minutes of the tribunal hearing because they felt they were in the right. This new review will look at visitors permits, business permits, hours of operation, payment methods and a whole lot more. I don't do these things for the credit, I do them because they need doing and someone has to to. Why you would want to post suggesting otherwise is beyond me, but each to their own. If you want the whole picture go to www.tonyclarkeindependent.blogspot.com and search for traffic. That will give you the whole story going back 2 years rather than a one off headline which I did not instigate.
Comment Removed
Thursday, January 19, 2012 at 01:15 PMTony Clarke trying to claim credit for something he had nothing to do with. I know someone who works for the council and they say this review has been on the cards for ages. Clarke didn't influence it one way or t'other.
expo65
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 09:54 PMAt last they have found something to do . another long winding consultation - let us see what they come up with. They do not have to suffer like we do , for this council it might be another paper , tick box exercise, and telling us they are doing something. Value for our taxes ? Let us see.
The Old Geezer
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 08:16 PMHOS the Council do listen to peoples views. Its just that they then choose to ignore them, and do what they had planned in the first place.
HOS
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 01:12 PM"the council must listen to people’s views before implementing any changes". That would be a first.
ForGodsSakeStopBeingSoMiserable
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 12:09 PMJez, as someone who used to live near St Michael's Car Park when I first arrived in town, I think opening it up again would be a retrograde step. I was there when they put the shutters up and the quality of life improved immeasurably. The sounds of shouting and fighting drunks diminished as the concrete structure caused echoing and amplification, the litter, instances of anti social behaviour and vandalism to cars was reduced as well due to the reduced levels of drunken pedestrian traffic. The parking around there is an issue, it was one of my primary motivators to move somewhere else, but it is just one of the many issues that blight this area of town. Opening up the car park would fix one problem, but cause many more.
Love Child
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 09:06 AMI love Tony but the photo does him a BIG favour!
.~* JEZ *~.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 08:57 AMOpen St. Michaels pay & display which sits empty every night like we've been telling you for many years!
Pending Moderation
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 08:45 AMMaybe the photographer had forgotten their wide angle lens. Or couldn't stand back far enough to fit everything into the picture.
SteveRiches
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 08:01 AMThat'll be Tony Clarke's left hand just visible on the lampost, then?
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