Local events
Proposed Changes to Car Parking in Raynes Park Centre - Public Meeting - 7 February 2014
This Association has been aware for some time that the Council were planning to change the car parking arrangements in the centre of Raynes Park. Residents will probably know there are currently several different restrictions on parking, some free, some requiring payment, depending on which road you park in. This has become a real muddle, with residents, businesses users and visitors getting parking tickets because of misunderstanding the confusing mix of different hours, charges etc.
However, despite efforts to liaise with the Council on this matter, the Council has now come up with some proposals. (Link to Merton's Proposals) The public consultation period is extremely short, officially closing on the 7 February 2014. That's less than two weeks from when we began to hear about it. (After some considerable public pressure, now officially extended to 14/02/2014) As you might imagine, there is a controversy brewing over the Council's motives, their proposals, the sudden way it has been announced and the shortness of the consultation period.
However, by Friday 31 January 2014, the Council had announced a public meeting to be held on the 7 February 2014. The meeting room in Raynes Park Library was full. The meeting was chaired by Cllr Chris Edge (Dundonald Ward) and attended by Cllr Andrew Judge (Cabinet Member) and Council Officers. A number of other local ward councillors were present, many of whom also spoke. A large number of local residents, representatives of local businesses, shop owners and practioners from local health services, all located in Raynes Park town centre also addressed the meeting.
It would be fair to say that the overwhelming body of opinion was against the Council's proposals.
Cllr Andrew Judge gave an undertaking that the Council would now take its time to consider the responses to the current consultation stage and develop proposals for a formal consultation later in the year.
Members are urged to submit their own views on the Council's proposals to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., by the 14 February 2014, quoting reference ES/SGE/RPTC.
(The Council's proposals may be read here. - Ed)
