Parking petition story in today’s Sutton Guardian
The Sutton Guardian have run an article about the Stonecot Hill parking petition on page four of today’s edition.
I do not and cannot speak for everyone that lives, works and visits Stonecot Hill. That is why the parking petition simply calls for a full consultation of everyone concerned about the issue. However, TfL’s spokesman entirely misunderstands many shopkeepers’ points of view and so I have written this response:
It is unsurprising that parking on Stonecot Hill’s Red Route (A24) is so difficult as Transport for London (TfL) seem to have no idea what local people’s concerns are nor what they are asking for.
TfL’s spokesman is entirely right in saying that extending parking times might damage local businesses. Some people might park for very long periods and prevent passing motorists from stopping to shop. That is why local shopkeepers are calling for more short-term parking and less long-term parking. Shopkeepers would also like to see some of the 20-minute loading bays turned into 20-minute parking bays to enable more people to stop, shop quickly and leave without risking a fine.
Over 2000 people signed the Stonecot Hill parking petition because their concerns and complaints about the way TfL are managing this area have been ignored. We look forward to TfL announcing a definite date for a public consultation to ensure that all local residents, businesses and shoppers are heard at last. We are still waiting.
