RESIDENTS' groups are warning that a controversial plan to charge people to park outside their homes could spawn an ugly "concrete jungle" of driveways across Southampton.
They fear that residents could destroy their gardens to escape new residents' zones and charges for all permits set out in a new parking policy agreed by city council leaders.
Now the City of Southampton Society, a preservation pressure group, has urged the Labour and Liberal Democrat coalition-led council to rethink the policy.
Jack Candy, from the society, said: "It's a question of quality of environment. I think to encourage people by any policy to destroy their front gardens would be terrible.
"The whole policy needs to be thoroughly reviewed.
"Hopefully there may be a change of local government administration in May."
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The issue was raised by the Residents' Action Group which is based in the Polygon, one of the 17 areas of the city with a residents' parking zone.
The group's transport spokesman Jane Beaulieu said: "I for one will destroy my front garden in order to avoid yet another costly charge to an already overpriced council tax bill.
"The Polygon is and will become a concrete jungle, and not good for the environment to boot."
Chairman Lorraine Barter said that despite being a non-motorist she was concerned about the implications.
She said: "I am worried that the charges will cause even more citizens in the residents' parking zones to knock down their front garden walls and concrete over the gardens to make hard standing for their cars."
The group warned that the council may need to change permitted development rights to prevent it from happening.
Labour and Lib Dem councillors last month agreed the parking policy to charge for all residents' permits without even guaranteeing a space - the first permit is currently free.
It sparked fury from residents and led to the Daily Echo's Parking Mad campaign demanding a U-turn.
Labour council leader June Bridle later pledged not to bring in new charges for at least 12 months - after May local elections - but was accused of trying to fool voters.
She refused to scrap the policy though and said that she would look at other ways to raise the £342,000 the council says it needs to make the residents' parking scheme "self-funding" - also part of the parking policy.
It could mean residents paying more for second permits, Cllr Bridle said.
Councillor Jill Baston, Cabinet member for transport, said residents shouldn't be "alarmed" because there was no commitment to implement specific measures in the parking policy. But she also refused to amend it.
Posted by: Keith Oftergrass on 1:27pm Thu 3 Apr 08
[quote]RESIDENTS' groups are warning that a controversial plan to charge people to park outside their homes could spawn an ugly "concrete jungle" of driveways across Southampton.[/quote]
Don't these people look outside their windows.... it's been going on for years !
Well, at least in the non-elitist areas such as Portswood where there are no 'Residents Parking schemes......
Bring it on, about time these snobs paid for being privileged !
RESIDENTS' groups are warning that a controversial plan to charge people to park outside their homes could spawn an ugly "concrete jungle" of driveways across Southampton.
Don't these people look outside their windows.... it's been going on for years !
Well, at least in the non-elitist areas such as Portswood where there are no 'Residents Parking schemes......
Bring it on, about time these snobs paid for being privileged !
[quote][bold]Keith Oftergrass[/bold] wrote:
[quote]RESIDENTS' groups are warning that a controversial plan to charge people to park outside their homes could spawn an ugly "concrete jungle" of driveways across Southampton.[/quote] Don't these people look outside their windows.... it's been going on for years ! Well, at least in the non-elitist areas such as Portswood where there are no 'Residents Parking schemes...... Bring it on, about time these snobs paid for being privileged ![/quote] Nah,
All I see is a block paved jungle - not concrete. That's for council estates.
Keith Oftergrass wrote:
RESIDENTS' groups are warning that a controversial plan to charge people to park outside their homes could spawn an ugly "concrete jungle" of driveways across Southampton.
Don't these people look outside their windows.... it's been going on for years ! Well, at least in the non-elitist areas such as Portswood where there are no 'Residents Parking schemes...... Bring it on, about time these snobs paid for being privileged !
Nah,
All I see is a block paved jungle - not concrete. That's for council estates.
Oh no, not more houses like student properties with crude concreted over front gardens! At least some will actually do a decent job of creating driveways, unlike the student landlords of Swaythling.
Oh no, not more houses like student properties with crude concreted over front gardens! At least some will actually do a decent job of creating driveways, unlike the student landlords of Swaythling.
Posted by: Family Man, Bitterne on 3:17pm Thu 3 Apr 08
Re: June Bridle "She refused to scrap the policy though and said that she would look at other ways to raise the £342,000 the council says it needs to make the residents' parking scheme "self-funding" - also part of the parking policy."
By the same token, I would love to know just how much of the tolls for the Itchen Bridge goes on the cost of actually collecting the tolls...is that self financing as well? Indeed were the tolls to be scrapped and the staff and overheads (staff costs/overheads/acco
mmodation/pension)to be dispensed with, what would be the "net" loss to the council... not much I suspect!
Has anyone ever seen the details of the bridge revenue and costs?
Re: June Bridle "She refused to scrap the policy though and said that she would look at other ways to raise the £342,000 the council says it needs to make the residents' parking scheme "self-funding" - also part of the parking policy."
By the same token, I would love to know just how much of the tolls for the Itchen Bridge goes on the cost of actually collecting the tolls...is that self financing as well? Indeed were the tolls to be scrapped and the staff and overheads (staff costs/overheads/acco
mmodation/pension)to be dispensed with, what would be the "net" loss to the council... not much I suspect!
Has anyone ever seen the details of the bridge revenue and costs?
Surely now is the time for all those who want to protect the environment to apply for an Article 4 Direction to be imposed on their area ? To prevent more walls being destroyed and gardens concreted over.
You could find out how to do this from the Council Planning officers.
Citizens who live in the Houses in Multiple Occupation ghettos have been complaining for some time about the danger of having cars jump the pavement to get to the " illegal "
parking spaces in the front gardens created by the landlords. Even more danger to pedestrians should not be encouraged, and the Council must make hard decisions to
protect public safely on our roads and pavements.
There is a rumour going round that the Council never intended for this charge to be implemented.
So please could they
and the Echo clear up any confusion on this matter ?
Surely now is the time for all those who want to protect the environment to apply for an Article 4 Direction to be imposed on their area ? To prevent more walls being destroyed and gardens concreted over.
You could find out how to do this from the Council Planning officers.
Citizens who live in the Houses in Multiple Occupation ghettos have been complaining for some time about the danger of having cars jump the pavement to get to the " illegal "
parking spaces in the front gardens created by the landlords. Even more danger to pedestrians should not be encouraged, and the Council must make hard decisions to
protect public safely on our roads and pavements.
There is a rumour going round that the Council never intended for this charge to be implemented.
So please could they
and the Echo clear up any confusion on this matter ?
Posted by: The Star Chamber on 8:23pm Thu 3 Apr 08
[quote][bold]Family Man[/bold] wrote:
Re: June Bridle "She refused to scrap the policy though and said that she would look at other ways to raise the £342,000 the council says it needs to make the residents' parking scheme "self-funding" - also part of the parking policy." By the same token, I would love to know just how much of the tolls for the Itchen Bridge goes on the cost of actually collecting the tolls...is that self financing as well? Indeed were the tolls to be scrapped and the staff and overheads (staff costs/overheads/acco mmodation/pension)to be dispensed with, what would be the "net" loss to the council... not much I suspect! Has anyone ever seen the details of the bridge revenue and costs? [/quote] I have an email from the Council promising me this information a few years ago. Time for an FOI request? Perhaps the Echo could make one for me as I will be off skiing for a week?
Family Man wrote:
Re: June Bridle "She refused to scrap the policy though and said that she would look at other ways to raise the £342,000 the council says it needs to make the residents' parking scheme "self-funding" - also part of the parking policy." By the same token, I would love to know just how much of the tolls for the Itchen Bridge goes on the cost of actually collecting the tolls...is that self financing as well? Indeed were the tolls to be scrapped and the staff and overheads (staff costs/overheads/acco mmodation/pension)to be dispensed with, what would be the "net" loss to the council... not much I suspect! Has anyone ever seen the details of the bridge revenue and costs?
I have an email from the Council promising me this information a few years ago. Time for an FOI request? Perhaps the Echo could make one for me as I will be off skiing for a week?
Posted by: Pukeko, Dunedin, New Zealand on 10:41am Fri 4 Apr 08
The ever increasing greed of the local body, I thought it was bad enough here, but I suppose it will follow.
As Lorraine Barter rightly points out, it is also an increasing danger to pedsetrians. Cars often back out of driveways, and visibility is very limited.
The ever increasing greed of the local body, I thought it was bad enough here, but I suppose it will follow.
As Lorraine Barter rightly points out, it is also an increasing danger to pedsetrians. Cars often back out of driveways, and visibility is very limited.
Posted by: King Mush, Woolston on 11:16pm Fri 4 Apr 08
How will many of the chav-houses find room on their front plot anyway?
Usually filled with wheely bins, kids' toys,old sofas, car wrecks, ex 'travelling' caravans etc
How will many of the chav-houses find room on their front plot anyway?
Usually filled with wheely bins, kids' toys,old sofas, car wrecks, ex 'travelling' caravans etc
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