Council Parking Response "Script for a Pantomime"

Shepway Campaigner Lynne Beaumont has responded furiously to a new Shepway Council report on the impact of new on-street parking charges in Folkestone.

The report recommends no change to the on-street parking charges in Folkestone Town Centre, The Bayle or The Harbour for at least another six months. This is despite the report saying that overall there has been a drop in trade, especially in Church Street, Rendevous Street, Sandgate Road & Guildhall Street.

Lynne said:

"This is one of the most fanciful reports I have ever seen that has been produced by Shepway District Council. If it wasn't so serious, it would be laughable. It's a script for a pantomime.

"Everyone who shops in Folkstone, or should I say used to shop in Folkestone, knows what on street parking costs are doing to our town. All the retailers know what on street parking charges are doing to their businesses.

"Why is it that the only people who do not know, are the people who introduced this ludicrous scheme in the first place? I'll tell you why, they don't listen, and it is obvious that they have no intention of listening. Instead, they produce such a positive report in an attempt to justify carrying on with a scheme that is sucking the life blood out of our town.

"The time has come for new leadership at Shepway District Council. This situation cannot be allowed to continue. On street parking charges have to go, not just for a few days at Christmas, but for the future of Folkestone and all traders who are trying to make a living in these times of recession.

"The councils job is to support business, not cut off its circulation."