Once again, although Cllrs Colin Hodgson and Janette Jenkinson are angry about something, are they really doing anything to try to change the situation?
Too often what is said ends up being hot air with no scorch.
What we need are dragons that breath fire and get their claws stuck in and worry the problem until a result is obtained.
The car parking situation in Ulverston is a real mess. Agreed, it is very complicated. However it doesn't help when the same councillors allow the County Highways Engineer, Nick Raymond, to put a request for better signs to the Stockbridge car park at the bottom of our list of priorities in the Town Centre Plan even though we were all in favour of this. By contrast a request for a cycle paths notice board which no-one backed went to the top.
Repeatedly, Civil 'Servants' seem to dictate what is done and Councillors meekly follow.
It's no good bleating that Ulverston Councillors are outnumbered by Kendal on SLDC - they're not - if you take into account those from other non-Kendal areas. Some political 'you scratch my back and . . . .' needs to be practiced.
Sedbergh Councillors have shown an interest in working with Ulverston to achieve mutually advantageous goals in spite of what Phil Lister said recently at a public meeting.
Rational persuasion is very powerful tool!
Raising council tax may be unacceptable, but increases in car parking charges are not the only way of raising money in this way.
Another alternative, though unpalatable to some, is getting the traders, both market and shopkeepers, to pay for the car park charges on Thursday and Saturday. After all, it is in their interest that everything possible is done to encourage shoppers to Ulverston and better use to be made of the previously mentioned Stockbridge car park, which few visitors ever find.
Far from increasing charges, towns like Blackburn & Darwen are exploring 3 hrs of free parking on Saturdays and market days, enough for a good shop.
Some imaginative solutions and determination to see them through are needed.
2 comments:
Who is going to enforce these charges ? how often do you see a traffic warden in town ? you can park the wrong way in a one way street and you won't get a ticket .Try it Geoff !!!
All you need to do is contact the Wetherby council to find out how they can offer FREE parking in the very bussy town; a market town the size and style of Ulverston!
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