Conservatives Claim Success on Parking Charges in Shepway.

Shepway District Council has said that the introduction of car parking charges at Castle Road car park, Hythe, could net over £20,000 which will benefit the local community.

Previously Sandgate Parish Council paid Shepway District Council £1800 to keep the carpark free.

In a press release on the council website (http://www.shepway.gov.uk/content/view/200886/1922/), Conservative Council Leader Robert Bliss said, ‘The figures so far have been positive. Our projected income from the time the parking charges were introduced to the end of the financial year was £8300 and so far we have taken almost £6000. Obviously we recognise that during these winter months, the amount taken will be lower than in warmer times.

‘It is expected that the revenue from this particular car park, which is already significantly higher than the amount previously paid yearly by Sandgate Parish Council, will be put towards funding of future community based projects that will benefit the whole of the District."

Pushed through by the Conservative controlled council, Liberal Democrats have consistently campaigned against the introduction of charges and questioned their effectiveness.

Town, District and County Councillor Tim Prater, in articles on his website (http://www.prater.org.uk/news/000121/sandgate_castle_road_car_park_falling_short_on_income_targets_shock.html and http://www.prater.org.uk/news/000104/shepway_council_misled_sandgate_on_car_park_income.html) says ‘The figures clearly show that Shepway will fall well short of the predicted £25,000 a year take on the car park, as many of us predicted when the scheme was introduced.

‘Despite assertions by Shepway Council, the introduction of parking charges has hurt most Sandgate residents and businesses, without looking like it'll even raise the income they hoped. What a way to treat a village.’

Commenting on plans to introduce charges at other car parks in the area and raise fees (http://www.shepwaylibdems.org.uk/news/001694/revealed_shepway_plans_to_end_free_hythe_parking_and_increase_pay_and_display_charges.html), District Councillor Neil Matthews said ‘If you tried to put together a plan to hurt Hythe more, it would be hard to do.

‘Last year Council parking charges went up, and the total amount of money earned from its car parks went DOWN as users voted with their feet.’

Cllr Monk was contacted for his opinion on Liberal Democrat views via the council website, but has yet to respond.

Update - the Lib Dem group have responded to this, which unfortunately went in my Spam folder. Apologies to the Lib Dems and others. The above post remains accurate, and another post will detail the response shortly.