UPDATED: Island residents in their thousands have stepped up and said ‘leave our park alone’ following the announcement of plans by the Isle of Wight Council to charge motorists to park at Appley in Ryde.
An online petition has already received over 1700 signatures in support of battling the Council’s decision to introduce a fee for parking at Appley Car Park – an area that currently has a 5-hour free parking arrangement. Although a charge during the day could have its benefits, the increase in the overall parking charge period from 18:00 to 20:00, due later this year, would mean that residents would have to pay to park to have an evening stroll or to attend the many events that happen at Appley Beach throughout the year and fears have grown that these events will suffer as a result.
Discussions have been fast-flowing on social networking groups with many Islanders believing that Appley Park was gifted to the people of Ryde, meaning that a car parking charge can not be implemented at the site. It is currently unclear as to the specific legalities of this, however a meeting has been called by Ryde East’s Councillor Roger Whitby-Smith with the relevant Councillors and Council officers to discuss the issue.
You can sign the petition, which has been supported by Island Echo throughout, on charge.org here.
UPDATE MONDAY: In an email to a concerned resident, the Isle of Wight Council Leader, Cllr Ian Stephens, has said that charges will be introduced at Puckpool Park as well as Appley Park – a decision that has not been previously mentioned by the Council.
Island Echo have requested confirmation from the Council on this matter.
Concerns have also been raised about the scrapping of free parking at The Heights Leisure Center in Sandown, with many patients of the Sandown Medical Centre worried that they will now have to pay upwards of £2.00 to visit the Doctor. Due to the lengthy waiting times and restricted parking both at the centre and in the surrounding area, patients are left with no other option but to park in the large Heights car park, which at current is free for 2 hours however will become a full-time chargeable car park under Council plans.
The effects of scrapping free parking at Medina Leisure Center in Newport is also a worry for many, with the plans meaning that visitors to the gym, swimming pool and theatre will need to pay extra to park on top of the charge for the activity they are doing. This is also true of evening performances at Medina Theatre due to the previously mentioned increase of the parking charge period.
A Facebook group called ‘Leave our Island Parking Alone!’ has been set up to discuss the changes and to fight the decision. You can join the group here.
The outcome of Cllr Whitby-Smith’s meeting is expected in due course.
