Folkestone, Hythe and Sandgate Parking Poll - THE RESULTS

Key parts of Conservative Shepway's Parking Strategy were torn to shreds by voters across Folkestone, Hythe and Sandgate tonight as massive majorities voted against the proposals to introduce parking charges and parking permits for local people.

The poll questions were:

1. Do you support Shepway District Council's parking proposals to introduce parking charges for Folkestone and the rest of Shepway?

2. Do you agree that if the proposed Shepway District Council parking strategy is imposed on the residents of Folkestone that as a minimum Shepway District Council make available one free parking permit per residence and the first hour of a motorist's parking session at any on street pay and display space is free?

The results by area:

• Folkestone parking poll Question 1 result: No 1744, Yes 72.
• Folkestone parking poll Question 2 result: No 557, Yes 1145

• Hythe parking poll Question 1 result: No 834, Yes 25
• Hythe parking poll Question 2 result: No 282, Yes 548

• Sandgate parking poll Question 1 result: No 535, Yes 14
• Sandgate parking poll Question 2 result: No 129, Yes 402

The turnouts were 16.3% in Sandgate, 7.3% Hythe and Folkestone 5.45%.

Folkestone Lib Dem campaigner Darren Briddock commented:

"The people have spoken - and delivered a massive kick in the teeth to the Conservative's parking plans for Shepway. Local people do not want to pay to park to shop. They do not want to pay to park outside their homes.

"The plans are a disgrace, Local people have seen through them, and it's time they were withdrawn and for Shepway Council to apologise for even suggesting them. The proposals author Malcolm Dearden should resign in the morning,"

Folkestone West and Sandgate County Councillor Tim Prater said:

"It was a wet and cold night. Despite that, with no official poll card reminders and no postal votes, thousands of people have gone out to register their protest against the Tory parking plans. The results are clear and decisive, and the Conservatives need to take them to heart and change their plans. It's time for them to stop proposing new charges and instead support local people and local businesses."