Residents give thumbs up to permit discount trial
A trial scheme to allow town centre residents of Tonbridge to apply for discounted car park season tickets has been given the thumbs up in a council consultation.
The proposal is designed to ease parking pressures around flats and other residential developments in the Botany area of the town centre. It would make permits for three nearby car parks available to 100 drivers at £350 per year instead of the usual rate of £1,020.
The consultation during July prompted 38 responses. Of these 35 were supportive of the proposals and three were opposed.
The results are due to be reported to a council advisory board on 31 August when members will vote on whether to proceed with the trial involving the Sovereign Way North, Sovereign Way East and Vale Road car parks. The decision will then be put forward for approval by the cabinet. If given the go-ahead, the one-year trial would start from 1 October 2021.
In a report to councillors to kick off the consultation, council officers noted that the car parks involved had spare capacity and that offering discounted season tickets could alleviate long-running problems with on-road parking. It added: ‘The area is not appropriate for a residents parking permit scheme and demand for parking far exceeds supply.
‘Whilst it is true to say that the residents were fully aware of the lack of parking and the cost of season tickets when they purchased their flats, the reality is many are car owners which is creating significant problems and generating high levels of complaint.’
View the Street Scene and Environment Services Advisory Board report.