After Years of Campaigning Shepway Finally Drop Parking Phases 2 & 3

Shepway's Lib Dem campaigners have reacted with jubilation at hearing that Shepway District Council (SDC) have finally dropped Phases 2 & 3 of their so called parking strategy afters years of campaigning.

Shepway Lib Dems have been fighting to overturn SDC's disasterous decisions on parking since 2008 when campaigners called for free parking permits for Folkestone West residents. Since then Shepway have continued to make awful decisions, including the introduction of parking charges in Folkestone Town Centre which have had a disasterous effect on local businesses. Shepway Lib Dems have continued to oppose these bad decisions offering an alternative strategy where every other party in Folkestone has refused to engage with a real debate.

Reacting, local Lib Dem Gary Fuller said:

"At last we can see some progress. Shepway have realised that they are destroying our district with their bungled parking strategy. They need to go much further though, and rethink every bad decision they have made since 2008. We need a real dialogue with the public and local businesses."

Commenting, local Lib Dem Tim Prater said:

"I've been holding Shepway to account on the parking fiasco since 2008. It is great to finally see some progress, but there is still more to do. I, along with everyone else in the Shepway Lib Dem team, will continue fighting to save local businesses whilst getting a better deal for residents."

Parking Strategy Timeline:

December 2007 - Shepway Lib Dems expose parking fines black hole

May 2008 - SDC consult on Folkestone Town Centre Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ)

May 2008 - Shepway Lib Dems produce popular alternative parking strategy

October 2008 - SDC put off introduction of charges after learning Kent County Council might take money raised

December 2009 - SDC Forward Plan published with plans to introduce seafront parking charges

May 2010 - Conservative leaflets falsely deny the existence of plans to introduce seafront parking charges

November 2010 - Shepway Lib Dems call for further parking policy review

October 2011 - Parking Strategy Agreed by SDC despite local objections

December 2011 - Folkestone, Hythe, and Sandgate Residents vote emphatically for Shepway Lib Dem Parking Proposals to be put in place

March 2012 - SDC announce partial u-turn on Pay & Display parking

September 2012 - Folkestone Town Centre CPZ introduced

November 2012 - SDC Chief Executive admits Folkestone Parking Strategy is fiasco

November 2013 - SDC finally drops phases 2 & 3 of failed Parking Strategy