Comments on: John Redwood argues against new parking charges for Wokingham

By: alan jutson

alan jutson — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 07:52:47 +0000

Thank you John.

Who would go into Town for a quick one off purchase of goods at say Robert Dyas, the photocpy shop, the film processing shop, to get a Prescruiption, if you have to pay to park the car.

Who would meet friends in Town for a Cup of Coffee and a chat, when Garden Centres/Hotels are available.

It would be one more nail in the coffin of the Town centre if charges are introduced for short term parking.

The Town Council should listen, and learn.

Visitors need to be encouraged, local businesses need to survive, otherwise its another empty shop.

By: Matt

Matt — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 20:02:06 +0000

We have to assume that the Council has costed the proposal and has concluded that it will make money. It isn’t a cost saving exercise it is revenue generating (i.e. a further local tax – which is what I object to). However the town does need something to force people to use the parking fairly. As a local resident (something I know you’re not , John) I see parking spaces supposedly for short term parking being used by the same cars all day all week. How can this be helping local shops?

And to emphasise your lack of local knowledge – the main Council office car park has been free to the public on Saturdays for years.

As you point out car parking isn’t the reason the town centre is struggling.

Reply: For heaven’s sake, I live near the town and come there regularly. I lobbied to get free parking on Saturdays at WBC offices.

By: Dave Sparrow

Dave Sparrow — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:32:42 +0000

I completely agree. Once Wokingham becomes just a little more inconvenient, I (and no doubt many others) will be off to Reading more often, with its huge car parking capacity.

There may will be a tipping point beyond which shoppers will lose patience and once they move elsewhere we will be hard pushed to get them back to Wokingham again.

I suspect there are many councils around the country wondering about how to increase revenue. I wonder if any studies have been done following increased parking charges and an increase in inconvenience? I find it hard to believe that a town prospers as a result.

By: Helene

Helene — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 17:52:57 +0000

The introduction of extreme parking restrictions has played a large role in devastating the high streets of towns right across this country. It is so difficult to park and shop locally it is hardly surprising that people are voting with their wallets for out of town centre shopping malls that offer free parking to boot.

Combined with the perverse way in which taxation policy has encouraged clone high streets throughout the land, it is really ripping the soul from many British towns.

Starbucks, anyone?

By: David Hodgson

David Hodgson — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:15:23 +0000

I agree completely with you on this.

By: Alan Wheatley

Alan Wheatley — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:50:03 +0000

It is a good few years since I last went shopping in Wokingham, usually on the way home from work. From what I remember of it, I would say you are pretty much on the button as to what should be done. And done elsewhere, too.

Here in Bromyard, empty shop windows have been made available to enterprising, local people to put on historical displays, which at the very least shows the community care about how their Town looks.