Summary: SBA questions benefit of Buchanan Economic Impact Assessment: asks if Revenue raising still behind council stategy?

Letter to Hastings Council 2008

S.B.A.
St Leonards on Sea Business Association

13/02/2008

Dear Councillor
Many have commented that the Colin Buchanan Economic Impact Assessment told us little that we did not already know. It just seems sad that the people are not to be believed.

As representatives of the St Leonards business community, with a membership of 150 who all have a colossal stake in the area, our responsibility is to give you their views on the consultants proposals.
As Colin Buchanan do much work for ESCC and “He who pays the piper” applies, we calculated that some form of suggestion involving paid for parking would be put forward, though it is noticed that even they, make no recommendations as to time scale and do admit local social and economic problems.
We had long ago recognised a slow turnover of parking space in Kings Road, and to a lesser degree on Norman Road, and communicated our solution to Council Officers and some councillors, but to no avail. Since Buchanan had identified the same problem, perhaps we will be listened to.
Of course since our solution will not raise large amounts of money, it will not be popular with those who’s priority is “revenue raising” and to hell with St Leonards. Had this objective not been uppermost in the minds of some, the huge CPZ fiasco would not have got off the ground, (as confirmed by Buchanan) and as witnessed throughout the rest of East Sussex.
Small localised parking difficulties are caused by a lack of enforcement of existing two hour restrictions, (only 710 penalties issued between April 2006 and March 2007 confirms sloppy enforcement, or else no problem exists). Some abuse the limits, and we agree that measures to stop this must be taken.
Our low cost outline solution.: Keep the free parking, Make the area one zone, reduce the allowed period in Kings and Norman Road to one hour, and enforce strictly. The objective; to maximise capacity for shoppers. Apply this for two years and if the problem has not evaporated, despite the removal of 24

spaces under the aegis of “Regeneration”, we can all think again. Perhaps the regeneration measures will provide a great fillip to Central St Leonards. No-one has a crystal ball, and measures to date have had little effect, so we live in hope. We will gladly meet with officers and councillors for discussions.
No expensive outlay on pay and display machines needs recouping, and with good enforcement, (Colin Buchanan state it takes only 5 penalties a day for a warden to more than cover their cost.
While we also maintain that Crystal Square car park should be developed to provide substantial off road parking in the area for longer term parking.
With regard to charging commuters for parking in Station approach, (which by the way has no residents), it is felt that this will produce a catastrophic knock on effect for residents in adjoining streets.
The majority of these residents appear to have little or no problem with the existing situation (Southwater Residents Association surveys during nocpz4stleonards campaign). This has recently been exacerbated by influx of council workers without adequate planning, and closure of Hastings Station car park..
While it is appreciated that commuter parking is seen as a “cash cow ready for milking”, it must be remembered, that the objective of any scheme is to alleviate problems for residents, or businesses.
There is little commuter parking on Saturdays, merely medium term shopper parking, as is the case on surrounding streets. Indeed during the week, there are still spaces to be found, for shoppers to Central St Leonards who prefer to walk rather than the fear of a ticket in Kings or Norman Road.
Any “Pay to park” scheme in St Leonards is going to have a deleterious effect on the fragile local economy. Additionally, despite the March 2008 changes to parking regulations, which diminish the need to make a scheme totally self financing, it is doubtful that any small scale measures will produce more than marginally adequate revenue. What is the point? Are we all trying to solve problems in St Leonards or raise revenue ?.
Yours sincerely On Behalf of the S.B.A

Chairman Bill Orton (01424 420322 )
Vice Chairman Vic Homewood