Decision to reverse parking permit scheme is slammed by irate residents

Following a public consultation in November, Southend Council chose to dilute a resident parking scheme with pay-to-park zones in Westcliff.

The scheme was only introduced in May but was highly controversial as business owners in the area claimed it would actively discourage tourism, despite helping residents.

Now, a resident of Clifftown Parade has criticised the council for its handling of the situation, saying new parking lines for the road have been left only half done and some of the ticket machines on the road are not working.

The resident, David Elford said: “I don’t know what the council is playing at with the parking arrangements in Clifftown Parade.

“Many months ago they introduced a residents-only parking scheme, but a few months after that they changed their minds and introduced pay parking machines for the south side of the road.

“They said that people could park there any time of the year but left the yellow notices up saying that parking was only allowed from November to February.

“They started burning off the old single yellow line and painting a broken white line to replace it. The burners and painters gave up halfway through a day some time before Christmas.”

Irate Mr Elford added: “The council doesn’t seem to understand that with parking on both sides of the road there is simply not enough room in the middle for two cars to pass.

“What are you supposed to do, reverse half a mile up the road? The broken white line is also painted over important access to the war memorial.

Mr Elford added: “The parking machine near the war memorial doesn’t work, it rejects valid cards and, because of that, numerous people have either taken a chance parking illegally or gone to find somewhere else to park.

“The only good thing to come out of this stupid scheme is that residents are now able to park for a reasonable amount of money each year.”

Andrew Moring, cabinet member for infrastructure, has defended the council’s actions and claims the parking system does work.

Porters, Southchurch Rd. Southend.SBC are about to do some improvements to Porters the mayoral residence.PIC: Andrew Moring outside Porters..PHOTOGRAPHER: ANNA LUKALA Date: 30/10/2013 Copyright: Echo Newspapers (Newsquest, Essex Ltd.) Tel: 01268-469390.

He told the Echo: “We are currently in the process of painting fresh parking lines over the previously barely visible older markings on Clifftown Parade. Our contractor, Marlborough, began remarking these lines in December but due to cars being parked along the route, the works were delayed.

“We have been in contact with the contractor and we are hopeful the works will be completed soon.

“Ticket machines in the Clifftown Parade area are all in working condition, the machines are set up with a dimmed display, but this can be lit up by following the directions on screen.

“Parking is available on both sides of the road to allow for more parking spaces in a notoriously busy part of the town. If we were to suspend parking on one side, not only visitors but also residents would have fewer spaces to park.

“We understand this can sometimes slow traffic due to the size of the road, however this is not something that drastically impacts road users.”