A florist in Sidcup High Street has to park outside her shop in order to
pick up and drop off goods. She says the parking gestapo is ‘sly’; “they
wait inside the sandwich shop and run back in after ticketing cars.” Bexley council
claims to be trying to promote trade in Sidcup which has become run down since they
began their war on motorists. Is it mandatory to be certifiably stupid before being
allowed to formulate Bexley council policy?
Sidcup High Street has at least 15 shops lying empty and Bexley council claims
to have canvassed over 500 visitors to find out what needs to be done to revive Sidcup.
Suggestions included better lighting and street furniture but traders know what is
required, a less oppressive regime on parking. Why doesn’t the council listen to
the people who know rather than rely on biased questionnaires? I think we know
the answer to that one.
Another trader said; “The reason trade is slow is parking. People drive past, see
the shop, but they can’t stop anywhere close by. I want the council to provide more
bays, I am certain more customers will come if they made an effort to provide more
spaces.”
The local barber said: “People park for the bank to get some cash for a hair
cut and come back and they have a parking ticket.”
The council’s Action Plan is aimed at attracting investment to fill empty
shops and councillor Peter Craske, Cabinet Member for Transport said:
“Traders may load and unload vehicles for up to 40 minutes so long as they
are doing so continuously and so long as loading is not prohibited.” Perhaps
he would do better if he told the parking gestapo that; then he may have some
chance of attracting the investment he says he wants to see.