20/3/2008
Local News
Hart wrong, so parking's freeRebecca Connop Price reports
PARKING is free in Fleet town centre – but it’s unlikely to stay that way.
A national parking adjudicator has ruled the controversial loading bays in Fleet Road “cannot be enforced”.
It means for the past two weeks anyone who has parked in the loading bays in Fleet Road has not been liable for a fine.
But the situation could change at any moment as Hart District Council is currently seeking legal advice to decide what to do next.
The ruling was made by solicitor Mark Emerton, during a National Parking Adjudication Service appeal hearing in Winchester on March 6. He ruled that the bay markings on the road did not meet mandatory traffic signs regulations.
The appeal was launched by motorist Stephen Robson, with the help of parking campaigner Peter Ashford.
Mr Robson was appealing against a Hart Council decision not to waive a penalty charge notice he received after parking in Fleet Road in January 2007.
The chairman of Fleet Business Partnership Kevin Whibley welcomed the adjudicator’s ruling. In a letter to members, he said the partnership has always wanted clearer signage and more free parking. He wrote: “All we ever ran up against was district council that blamed a county council and vice versa. The only alternative was to take the issue up the ladder and prove the councils were wrong in what they were doing. This is of course a very costly and time-consuming business, and, to that end, we must thank Peter Ashford and all those he has helped for bring the issue to a head for the time being.”
He appealed to the public not to take out their frustration with the parking situation on the town centre’s businesses.
Mr Whibley, who owns Captured Moment Photography, in Fleet Road, said hardly a week went by without him hearing about someone who refuses to shop in Fleet because of the lack of parking.
He added: “To all of you who have been upset, angered, aggrieved or just miffed about parking in Fleet over the last couple of years, we are sorry. But please do not blame the businesses by not using them, it is like blaming a child for the actions of the parents. If you do the day will come when the only place to shop will be large out of town retail parks, and you will sit and wonder what happened to that little town you used to love.”
John Elson, Hart Council’s head of environmental maintenance, said the council was awaiting legal advice before deciding what to do next.
He said: “The National Adjudication Parking Service made a decision on an appeal lodged by a motorist.
“They ruled that parking in these bays was unenforceable. Until such a time as we have had a legal view from Hampshire County Council, we will not be enforcing parking at the bays.”
He added: “I would hope we would have something this week, once we’ve had that, we can then make a decision about what to do next.”
First printed in:
Surrey Hants Star
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