Shop owners who have been battling to overcome the challenges of an unreliable floating bridge service now face another battle – to retain vital parking spaces in the heart of East Cowes.
Official documents from the Isle of Wight Council seem to propose the removal of parking spaces in York Avenue and Well Street, which would have an impact on the nearby shops. Surrounding residential areas could also see changes to assist in access for emergency vehicles. These roads include Kings Road, Princess Close, Nelsons Close, Mayfield Road and Beatrice Avenue, Connaught Road, East Cowes Esplanade, Hereford Road, Castle Street, Cadets Walk, Broadsmith Avenue, Adelaide Grove and Acorn Gardens.
In total there are 20 different proposed changes to parking arrangements in East Cowes, including the reduction of parking near to the paddling pool on the Esplanade.
One concerned shop keeper, Jayne Read, has set up a petition in the hope of stopping the action being ‘rushed through’. She says that removing parking in the town will have a devastating effect on trade, as well as pushing out-of-town visitors into residential areas.
Jayne adds:
“They [the Isle of Wight Council] are trying to push this through quickly without proper public consultation and it’s just not good enough.
“We have had the saga over the Floating Bridge and COVID-19, of which our shop is only just getting back on its feet, and now this from the Council. They say they support local business but this is a downright lie if they go ahead with what they are proposing”.
However, the Isle of Wight Council has this afternoon said that there are no proposed changes to the parking situation on York Avenue and that the official document is simply ‘correcting a historic anomaly’.
In a statement, a spokesperson has said:
“The council is not proposing any changes to the existing parking provision in York Avenue. The advertised Traffic Regulation Order is simply to correct an historic admin anomaly and is effectively a paperwork exercise.
“No parking bays will be removed and, therefore, there will be no impact on local residents.”
The Council has said that there will be consultation about other areas…
“Road safety is a key priority of the Isle of Wight Council and each year various highway improvements are identified that will enhance this. Part of this process includes a review of parking restrictions.
“The draft proposals for Cowes and East Cowes are currently at the design stage and subject to an informal consultation with local town and Isle of Wight Council ward members.
“Although an informal consultation is not a legal requirement in this case — as no major changes to the highways network are proposed — the authority is following best practice when introducing new regulations and has invited feedback prior to finalising the proposals.
“Once this has been completed, the traffic orders will be advertised and a formal consultation will be undertaken with residents welcome to comment and put forward their views for careful consideration.”
The petition can be found at https://secure.avaaz.org/community_petitions/en/isle_of_wight_council__save_our_local_businesses_and_residents_from_loosing_parking_in_east_cowes_/.
“Once this has been completed, the traffic orders will be advertised and a formal consultation will be undertaken with residents welcome to comment and put forward their views for careful consideration.”
Should read ‘ will be ignored’…. We’ve already received our plain brown envellopes.
Wonder if future plans not released yet include parking meters ? Wouldn’t trust the council as far as I could throw them. As Martin says any objections will be totally ignored.
I love the way the council are now saying they never intended to propose removal of parking spaces on york avenue when it is on the plans on their website very clever of them to now say it was a historic admin well if they had no intentions of proposing the removal why was it there in the first place. They can try and make me look as though i have been over reacting as much as they like i couldnt careless we all know the truth
When someone from the council says, this is just a paper exercise to right an anomaly … the alarm bells start ringing ! ! !
I wouldn’t be surprised if all the on street parking in East Cowes goes.
Sounds rather odd, is it only ‘historic’ for York Avenue
Save the paper.