Stratford Parking charges to rise again

[Will]

The Council in its infinite wisdom, has decided the middle of a recession would be the perfect time to inflict a further increase in parking charges on the public. Further quelling people's desire to go shopping in Stratford, and further emptying local stores of custom.

On top of that, they wish to put an end to all long term parking in the town, and limit to 4 hours. But that's all OK, because the council have their own private car park where they don't have to pay a penny!

Another world class move by World Class Stratford!

[chillitt]

I wondered where Warwick got that idea from....

[Lex]

Apparently, it's all a ploy to get people to use the park and ride. Unfortunately, a lot of Stratfordians either live within walking distance of the town centre, and so don't need to use the P&R; live south of the river, and so would clog the town getting to the P&R, defeating it's purpose; or just go to the Maybird Centre and park for free! Meanwhile, any visitors are put off by having to blow their budget parking their cars. (A couple of yeard ago, I parked my car in Ledbury all day for £1.50)

[Lex]

I heard an interesting theory about Stratford's parking charges the other day. Apparently they were introduced and voted through by District Councillors from outside Stratford Town, whilst most Councillors from the town itself opposed the charges. Decisions were then made not to introduce parking charges in other towns in the district; odd coincidence that.

[Dexter]

...Its the story of Stratford i'm afraid. Very little local democracy. The district is huge and stretches to almost the suburbs of Birmingham.

In fact the bloke in charge of the District Council "Our Les" does very nicely for himself running a garden centre in a place he is councillor for called "Sambourne"..Does anyone know where that is because I don't!

[Emily-O]

That's it - encourage people to come out, support the local businesses.
What is the point of making councillors pay for their parking.. they will only claim it back on their expenses. So not only would we pay for our own parking - but we would pay for theirs too. That is what I wanted to spend my tax money on all along *yay*