Dover: Council delays parking fee introduction
Plans to hike parking fees in a village near Dover have been scrapped
A council in Kent has backed down from hiking a village’s parking fees after being bombarded with hundreds of objections.
Dover district council had been looking to bring in new levies in St Margaret's Bay to cash in on motorists.
More than 200 people objected, claiming it would drive people away from local businesses.
Residents in St Margaret's Bay say the changes would lead to them 'losing the heart' of their community.
However, some car parks, including nine in Dover town centre, will still see a price increase.
From April, Camden Crescent, Ladywell and Maison Dieu will be among the car parks with fees increased by 20p per hour.
The Albany Place car park will remain the cheapest – rising from £1.30 an hour to £1.50.
Robin Burkhardt who runs the Old Curiosity Shop on Snargate Street, says:
“The town of Dover is slowly being closed down.
“The increase in parking is another nail in the coffin for small independent traders in this town".
Fierce backlash prompted the district council to keep prices as they are in certain areas, including The Street in Ash, Eastry High Street, Wingham High Street and Reach Road in St Margaret's.
Cabinet member Cllr Charlotte Zosseder proposed to the cabinet that the flat 20p increase in costs remain, but all the other changes be cancelled subject to a full review of parking in the coming months.