Borough council accused of "deception" over Paddock Wood parking plans
A PADDOCK Wood town councillor has accused the Tunbridge Wells cabinet of dishonesty over their handling of plans to raise money from the town's car parks.
Ray Moon fired the broadside during a debate at a town council meeting on Monday after hearing the borough had received complaints about a lack of all-day parking in the town.
Cllr Moon said: "Those cabinet members are facing up and trying to deceive us by fictitiously saying they had complaints, which worries me, because then I have to question their integrity and honesty in doing their jobs properly."
As reported in last week's Courier, the borough council is looking for ways to top up its budget, with the introduction of 12 season ticket-only bays in the Paddock Wood West car park among the methods being considered.
Cllr Moon believes Tunbridge Wells is keen to make the case for season tickets – and the revenue from them – as compelling as possible.
He thundered: "If you live in Paddock Wood and you go down there at lunchtime in the week you sometimes can't get a place in the car parks. How they can say they have got spaces available I do not understand.
"If they can't produce these complaints to say 'we want season tickets' then I think they are deceiving us."
Cllr Moon also condemned a borough council survey of existing parking arrangements for the same reason.
He said: "I think having the survey is a complete waste of money just to justify what they want to do in the first place – which is to put season tickets in there."
Cabinet member Elizabeth Thomas – who is also a town councillor – said she would ensure the survey was conducted in a way which would satisfy local people.
She said: "The survey is to establish whether there is any loose capacity and it will be done thoroughly and properly.
"The town council will get the opportunity to agree or disagree with how it is being carried out."
Responding to Cllr Moon's comments, a council spokesman said: "TWBC is looking into this. No decision has yet been made but we will carry out a survey in consultation with Paddock Wood Town Council and The Business Association.
"Comments from residents will also be considered."
2 Comments
by g joy, paddock wood
Sunday, March 21 2010, 6:55PM
“before they think about making us pay for parking how about they sort the inconsiderate car drivers that park their cars in not only silly but dangerous places like down church rd and in blackberry way if you know blackberry way you will know that at the end of the road were you can turn right or left there is a wall one side and cars vans and even lorrys park the other side now you may think that is not to bad until you are coming the other way you are turning into the road blind and if you are really unlucky to turn in and there is another car coming the othe way you have no were to go but into the parked cars or into the on coming car now if you can get past that little hurdle you then come into church road now that is fun with its yellow lines i just love the way they have been put in without any though of what would happen all the lovely cars that are left there by the car drivers that work in town you would think they wouldnt no longer park there and you are right they dont they park round the corner were all the kids from the school walk and were they come out after they have played football how no one has been run over i just dont know maybe they should sort this sort of thing out before they give themselves a pat on the back and a free parking pass now i know that there are a lot of roads like this in paddock wood not just the two i have said about it would just be nice that they sort this parking prob out and do just as everyone that pay their rates would like them to do and thats to sort it not charge us for paking in our town were we all like to shop one thinks that if they had their way we would all have to pay just to park outside our own homes or on our own drives”
by Roger Parkes, Paddock Wood
Friday, February 19 2010, 5:59PM
“I am really sceptical about the review of parking in Paddock Wood. It is vital that the two hour free parking is maintained to protect the local shops. The attack on the current rules is a cynical attempt to raise income. TWBC should be concentrating on cost reductions and efficiency savings. The number of councillors could be cut to thirty, this would ensure focus on specific issues.The savings could be used to reduce council tax. We do not need an excess of representation.”