Six Tonbridge car parks to offer 30 minutes free
Councillors last night agreed a range of concessions on parking proposals for Tonbridge and Malling.
The changes will see periods of free parking introduced or extended at a number of car parks and the dropping of plans to increase spaces close to Tonbridge town centre.
The revised proposals were put forward following a review of the original cabinet decision by the council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee. Two petitions were also presented to councillors, one opposed to the extension of Upper Castle Field car park in Tonbridge and the other calling for the extension of charging to 8pm, Sundays and bank holidays to be dropped.
The changes agreed by cabinet were:
- Upper Castle Field car park Tonbridge – plans to add spaces will not go ahead
- West Malling – one hour’s on-street free parking
- Martin Square car park, Larkfield – increase the free parking period from 30 minutes to one hour and season ticket prices to reduce from £200 per year to £120
- Aylesford Bailey Bridge car parks – increase the free parking period from 30 minutes to one hour; annual season tickets to reduce from the proposed £200 to £120 per year and the introduction of season ticket only bays
The cabinet also discussed a proposal to provide an hour’s free parking in Tonbridge on Sundays. The proposal was rejected in favour of offering 30 minutes free parking every day of the week at six town centre car parks. The car parks are Upper Castle Field, Castle Grounds, Kinnings Row, Lamberts Yard, River Lawn Road and Bradford Street.
The remainder of the proposals agreed by cabinet on 2 April will go ahead as planned with new charging periods expected to start being introduced from this summer.
Cllr Matt Boughton said: “As a responsible council we have a duty to make sure our finances are sound and unfortunately that sometimes means raising charges. However, we also have a duty to residents and to listen to their concerns.
“This is an example of our scrutiny process in action, ensuring an opportunity to review big decisions like this and take on board public feedback. It’s helped us find compromises which address at least some of the issues that have been raised while still enabling us to meet the rising costs of running our car parks.”