Islanders Rally Against New Parking Charges As Petition Passes 2,000 Signatures

A petition calling for a halt to shock new parking charge plans across the Isle of Wight has gathered more than 2,000 signatures.

Adam Provis’s Change.org appeal raises concerns that introducing fees could discourage people from stopping, shopping or visiting areas included in the proposals.

This in turn may impact small businesses dependent on passing trade and regular local custom, it says.

New charges, subject to consultation, are proposed at sites including Union Street in Ryde, Sandown’s High Street, Regent Street in Shanklin, Fort Victoria Car Park in Yarmouth and the new Royal Exchange in Newport.

Ventnor’s High Street and St James’ Street, Crocker Street, Union Street, Terrace Road and St John’s Place in Newport are also marked out.

In addition, tariffs are on the table for locations such as Wheelers Bay and Eastcliff car parks in Ventnor, St Martin’s Road car park in Wroxall, and Warnes Lane car park in Brighstone – all currently offering free parking.

Mr Provis’s new petition says:

“The Island’s towns, villages and visitor destinations depend heavily on both local custom and tourism.

“Before introducing new charges or removing existing periods of free parking, we believe the council should fully consider the potential impact on residents, businesses and visitor numbers, and properly engage with the communities affected.”

It requests the Isle of Wight Council reconsider the plans and retain existing free parking arrangements at the sites in question.

The charges will be considered as part of a range of savings proposals coming before the economy, regeneration, transport and infrastructure committee (ERTIC) tomorrow (Tuesday, October 6).

A report signed by the council’s strategic director of community services, Simon Moon, advises the measures are agreed for recommendation to the policy, finance and resources committee for adoption in County Hall’s budget setting processes.

It says the ‘financial challenge’ is the single biggest risk to sustainable public services on the Island.

“Accordingly, the council needs to resolutely maximise the deployment of the resources that it does have (revenue, capital, property and staff) towards driving additional income/funding and cost savings to secure council services for the future,” the paper adds.

Controversial plans to increase and extend parking charges across the Island were previously scrapped in the council’s budget back in February after a similar petition launched by Mr Provis gained 4,147 signatures.