Conservative Councillor Allan Andrews has called on the City Council to set a timetable for completing its city-wide parking review, following the Council's inability to answer his questions in a recent meeting.
Cllr Allan Andrews, Conservative Spokesman for City Services, has this week demanded that the City Council sets a clear time line for the completion of a review into Parking Policy. Allan is concerned that the Labour administration is using the review as an excuse to kick issues into the long grass whilst it dithers over what to do.
At a recent meeting Cllr Andrews questioned Council Officers about when a report in relation to the findings of the review, which is meant to respond to growing parking pressures in residential areas around the City Centre, would be ready. No answer was given and Allan is concerned that with the Friargate Development progressing the Council may try to stall on introducing the parking schemes that are needed. The review was set up in the wake of Labour Councillors deciding to scrap the budget for Residents’ Parking Permit Schemes last September.
Cllr Andrews (Earlsdon Ward) is now calling on the Council's Cabinet to set a structured timetable for the completion of the review to end the uncertainty for many local residents who are desperate to see a resolution to ongoing parking problems.
Commenting on this, Cllr Andrews said: "This is a very important review given the problem of parking in so many areas in Coventry, particularly in those areas close to recent developments in the city centre which I am concerned will only get worse unless urgent action is taken. I have had very encouraging discussions with Council Officers about a residents' parking scheme being introduced in Earlsdon but by not being given a timetable for the review to end my worry is it is being kicked into the long grass.
"Many areas, including Earlsdon, have a long-term problem with parking which is continually growing worse. I have called on the Council to set a timetable for the review so that this issue can be properly debated by elected representatives rather than being tucked away behind the scenes. We must consult widely with the local communities we represent and ensure schemes are introduced at the earliest opportunity."
Cllr Andrews' call has been backed by Cllr Hazel Noonan who represents Cheylesmore where last year Labour Councillors voted to scrap a proposed Residents' Permit Parking Scheme despite hundreds of residents signing a petition opposing the move. She said: “Over recent years the parking problem in Cheylesmore has got much worse, with roads like Thomas Landsdail St becoming a car park for city centre commuters during the day. The promise of a much needed permit parking scheme was snatched away by Labour within weeks of them taking control of the Council. Now they cannot even give a timetable for when one can be considered. Cheylesmore residents want action and unless a timetable is set for it I fear the problems will continue for years to come.”