Despite more than 400 objections, the Isle of Wight Council is being asked to approve the introduction of controversial parking charges along Gurnard seafront.
As part of income generation schemes included in the 2020/21 council budget last year, 3 new changes to parking were given the green light — extending charges on all esplanades across the Island to be all year round; implement charges at Somerton Park and Ride, Cowes; and introduce year-round charges between Egypt Esplanade, Cowes, and Princes Esplanade, Gurnard.
Following the statutory process to introduce the new charges, a public consultation has been undertaken.
During the consultation in August and September last year, 467 objections were received, with some mentioning more than one scheme — 18 against the changes at Somerton Park and Ride, 23 against the esplanade proposals and 449 relating to the Gurnard and Cowes charges.
In relation to year-round esplanade charges, objectors said it would discourage winter exercise along the seafronts, impact mental health and the charges would not be affordable all year round, especially to the elderly.
Proposals for Gurnard have been so ill-received by residents that a petition was started to stop the charges being introduced; arguing it would have a detrimental impact on the local sailing club, pub and businesses while further increasing parking congestion in the village.
To see the full breakdown of objections for each proposal, you can view the parking report and its appendices on the cabinet agenda here: iow.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=145&MId=194.
It is recommended the charges be introduced to ‘reduce the burden’ of the overall council subsidy being provided to the highways and transportation budget, which is ‘becoming increasingly difficult’ to service, according to a council report.
It is estimated annually the charges will bring in an additional £157,900 — £33,900 from Somerton Park and Ride, £58,000 from all-year esplanade charges and £66,000 from Gurnard and Cowes esplanade.
The costs of introducing the changes at Somerton Park and Ride and on Egypt and Princes Esplanades — for ticket machines, signs and lining works — would be more than £47,000.
The recommendation to the council’s cabinet from officers is to approve the changes but they say they may want to ‘consider whether the number of objections is sufficiently significant to warrant a complete rejection of the proposals in the parking order’ given that there are over 60,000 registered vehicles on the Island.
The cabinet will make its decision on Thursday 14th January.
IWC = Ass*oles.
Who do you think pays the councils vast wage bill? YOU.
Vote them out next time around. Pointless moaning, lets get rid of these destructive, greedy parasites for all of our good.
I will be voting these parasites out, greedy they get enough council tax from everyone and all the hundreds of new houses being built, but they still want more so let’s penalise the motorist
The council needs to put parking meters on every road on the isle of wight and if you park on the pavement the council should tow your vehicle away and crush it!!!!!
Totally agree , also for cars / vans on grass verges as makes absolute mess outside people’s house , including Royal Mail vans big culprits
So true, far too many people park on pavements, it is very dangerous by doing so!
Also some households have 3 or 4 vehicles and some only have 1.
So parking is very difficult.
The fairest way would be PARKING PERMITS / METERS.
Also look down the Streets and Roads, so many Company vehicles parked along Roads
Overnight!
Would be a shame if these new machines kept getting damaged
Disgraceful that people in the council actually get paid to devise and implement these schemes. And locals receive a double-whammy, since motorists who won’t pay parking charges will just park as near as possible in residential streets and then these streets get clogged up. Happened in Appley Park, the car park is now usually near empty since most people won’t pay charges to walk dogs.
New definition of consultation is totally ignore all views.
Greedy ts…Greedy ts and finally….. greedy ts.say no more
amazes me, 50,000 registered vehicles on the Island, and of course they are all going to park in Cowes or Gurnard.. .. really ?? How stupid can the council be ? Obvious they are not worried about the tourists that want to visit Cowes and Gurnard.. as the parking charges will put many off.. even Cowes week.. I used to like it when I drove down near Egypt point, parked up, went for walk along the stoney beach to the cafe by the Green, then sat there with a nice cuppa, or ice cream, enjoyed the views, then strolled back to the car and drove off. Now if this plan is implemented, it will cost much more, no thanks.. so that little cafe may go under… good thinking Council… is the one that thought this up the same bright spark that agreed on St Mary’s road works and that thing called Floating Bridge..?
pointless not allowed out Covid 19 BS so the ticket machines can rust
A perfect example of democracy in action… listen to the people, ignore the people, do what they want.
As for the council “subsidies”, its the people that they get the money from, its not like they are funding it from their own pockets.
Watch the area become deserted.
They’ll make street parking chargeable island wide before long.
2018 – 2019, Isle of Wight councilors claimed allowances and expenses totaling £475,000. Perhaps councilors who disregard the opinion of the ‘ordinary minions’ on the Isle of Wight, should remember that this information, is open to the same public that pay council tax. Do councilors claim back the cost of parking their car on expenses / allowances? Perhaps the odd lunch or two? Surly not! That would be an insult to those who are expected to pay from their own pocket.
Will this include motorcycle
I doubt they have even considered motorcycles, so who knows?
How much did the obviously pointless ‘consultation’ cost ?
Disgusting !
My wife and I visited Abergavenny among other places and were pleasantly surprised by the free parking. Except Tuesday which is market day, and the charge is £1 all day. How can they afford it and we can’t?
‘Need more money, better put the parking charges up. Oh dear, not so many people parking, even less income, better put the charges up again and take away free parking’. That’s the logic of our council leaders. Need a few ordinary housewives running the finances, soon get it sorted! More greedy councillors who earn such big money that they think that £6.00 is quite a reasonable amount to panty to take your children down to the beach for a couple of hours or go for a walk and a cup of tea. What world do they live in? Obviously not the same one that pensioners or workers on the minimum wage live in. Get out there councillors, talk to tourists then you’ll learn that parking charges and greedy ferry companies are the reason our tourist trade is dying!!!!