The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
A public meeting planned in Long Sutton will discuss a recent public notice which suggested parking charges are heading to the town.
A public notice issued by South Holland District Council in early December will be at the centre of discussions.
Originally the meeting was announced amid fears over the potential introduction of parking charges in Long Sutton.
But the district council has said it has no plans to expand the pay to park scheme to include it.
The public notice said the council “proposes to introduce card and cash payment machines at the Sheep Market, Victoria Street, Holland Road, Winfrey Avenue, Vista and Swimming Pool car parks to replace the existing cash only machines; and may wish to introduce card and cash machines at other car parks in the future. Other car parks considered appropriate for this are Priory Road Spalding, Boston Road and Fishpond Lane, Holbeach and West Street, Long Sutton and Kings Road, Sutton Bridge.”
The notice went on to add that the Long Sutton car park might also be appropriate for an electric vehicle recharging bay.
A statement from the parish council said the introduction of parking charges would be “catastrophic” and would hit local businesses.
But following a story in the Voice on December 20, the district council has issued a statement which says it has no plans to extend parking charges.
“South Holland District Council is introducing more ways for residents to pay at existing council operated car parks and we have no plans to extend parking charges at any further locations,” said the statement.
“As a district council we are committed to helping drive the economies of our market towns and the many local independent businesses who operate there and that’s why we are proposing positive steps to introduce electric charging points across the district where appropriate, to support the growth of clean energy care-users.”
The statement added that district council members for Long Sutton Jack Tyrrell and Laura Eldridge and been “in discussions” with deputy leader Malcom Chandler and Coun Roger Gambba-Jones, portfolio holder for place, to ‘allay any fears and misunderstandings”.
The public meeting will go ahead as planned at 7pm on Thursday, January 3 at the parish council offices.
