Mystery surrounds proposals that appear to possibly indicate that Wokingham Borough Council has plans to impose further parking restrictions.
The plans appeared on the council’s website on Monday but were quickly removed. If they had been taken forward, they would have meant an end to all free parking in the borough.
A spokesperson for Wokingham Borough Council confirmed there is no consultation or decision regarding additional parking restrictions, and that the information appeared on its website in error.
They told Wokingham Today: “The webpage mock-up seen by the newspaper was part of early work being done to consider a potential review of on-street car parking policy in the future.
“There are no detailed plans for any changes to on-street parking at present and, if there are changes in the future, these will be fully consulted on.”
The information appeared on the council’s ‘engage’ consultation website, and although searchable it was not linked to from the main website.
The apparent leak comes at a time when residents and retailers are becoming increasingly frustrated with the council’s policy to derive additional income from parking.
The page which briefly appeared on the council’s engage website said: “To help relieve some of the existing pressure for on-street parking and provide a fair approach to managing on-street parking restrictions, we’ve come up with the following proposals that we think will make on-street parking fairer for all residents, as well as improve air quality for some areas.”
The proposals could see the introduction of on-street pay-and-display parking charges of £1.50 per hour in spaces where there is currently a 30-minute free parking space.
This would include the current free parking spaces in Denton Road, Peach Street and Rose Street in the town centre. It is suggested that parking metres would be installed here, and other locations.
The website cited the desire to “encourage shorter stays and therefore increase availability of parking bays” as one of the reasons.
The proposals would also see the introduction of shared use bays – parking spaces available for resident permit holders and pay and display visitor use – in residential areas close to commercial businesses and commuter hubs, including at train stations and council car parks. This, it said, is to protect residents from parking pressures
“There would also be an Increase in hours of control for all on-street parking spaces, within existing and proposed parking zones, and for all parking spaces in existing and proposed parking zones. This will be from Monday until Sunday from 6am until 10pm to help avoid spillover parking from nearby off-street car parks.”
It said resident parking permits would also be revised.
“The Controlled Parking Area Permit Policy will allow one resident permit per household. Households with more than one vehicle will be able to purchase an off-street car park season ticket to park in a nearby off-street car park overnight,” the webpage said.
“There will be an Increase of the resident permit fees to £70 per year to help cover the increase in administration costs.
“There will also be a revision to the resident permit policy from street specific to zones, to provide residents with more parking options and available parking close to their homes.
“A new visitor permit for residents who live in a parking zone will be introduced to allow their visitors to park for short periods. These will be valid within any resident permit or shared use bay within the parking zone.”
Roads affected in and around Wokingham town centre would include Alderman Willey Close, Banbury Close, Barkham Road, Bell House Gardens, Biscoe Way, Broad Street, Crescent Road, Denton Road, Easthampstead Road, Elms Road, Earle Crescent, Frederick Place, Glebelands Road, Goodchild Road, Havelock Road, Havelock Street, Langborough Road, Latimer Road, London Road, Milton Road, Mount Pleasant, Norreys Avenue, Osbourne Road, Outfield Crescent, Oxford Road, Peach Street, Rectory Road, Rose Street, School Road, Seaford Road, Shute End, Sturges Road, The Terrace and Wescott Road.
Some roads in Winnersh, Woodley, Earley and Twyford will also be subject to the measures if they ever became a reality.
Cllr Pauline Jorgensen, the leader of the Conservative group on Wokingham Borough Council, said: “We are concerned these proposals will have a negative impact on residents and businesses.
“This is a difficult time for small businesses. Across the borough many are already feeling the effects of the doubling of car parking charges earlier this year.
“I have spoken to businesses that have seen a reduction in footfall and are finding it difficult to stay open.
“The Liberal Democrats should be considering how they can support these businesses rather than continue to punish car users, and I call on them to commit to a full and meaningful consultation before taking any decisions.”
Andy Croy, deputy leader of the Labour group, added: “I am not surprised it was taken down from the website as a cursory glance showed it has all sorts of red flags.
“I do not know of a councillor who has been approached by officers for their views on these proposals.
“The administration needs to confirm this document is an error, and will not be going ahead.”
