Parking Problems - and Finding Solutions
From our RA County Councillor
Parking is a major issue in Thames Ditton especially now that we have charges in Ashley Road car park and also the increasing numbers of commuters and office workers parking in roads around the Village and especially around the Station, creating problems for shopkeepers and residents. All these on-road parkers are unwilling to pay for parking. The cost to park all-day in Surbiton Station car park is £7.10 and £3.20 at Esher Station.
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| one solution to High Street parking |
There need to be solutions that are acceptable to the majority. These could be some or all of:
- No parking in roads for a short period in the day - say 9am-10am to deter commuters and office parkers.
- Parking for one hour (say) in the High Street and outside the shops in Summer Road.
- Residents' Permits for residents of the High Street and the Island.
- Some double yellow lines in various roads, for example in Watts Road, to allow cars to pass.
- Do nothing!
The Residents' Association will form a task group under Ben Ellis to discuss the problems and attempt to find a solution. He is looking for help from all roads affected so please volunteer to join the group. His telephone number is 020 8398 2114. Please also keep an eye for news on our website.
What's happened so far: I have arranged for Surrey County Council to carry out a parking survey to compare the situation now with 1999, late 2005 (before charges in Ashley Road car park) and now. This will indicate not only the scale of the problem but will enable the Transportation Department at Surrey to come forward with some ideas to ease the situation and which can be considered alongside our own proposals. This parking survey is underway and we await results. Enforcement will obviously need to be addressed and any proposals will be subject to consultation and all residents living in roads affected will be involved.
Peter Hickman