Norman Road. The parking period on the west side of Norman Road has reverted to 2hrs. This is a result of pressure from the SBA and traders on Norman Road. The council will listen and act, but we have to be proactive and do something. Please also note that this is another reason to stop ESCC taking control of local parking.

Cross Street. A letter was sent to Simon Hubbard following the January meeting.  A response was received in March stating that Mr Hubbard has been informed that ESCC Highways Department were intending to carry out a review of the impact of the regeneration in 6-9 months time i.e. Sept.- Dec.  This will include the impact of closing the junction at Cross Street.  The letter goes on to say that improvement to signage for the car park is in hand.  There were also other measures in hand to support regeneration, (note the letter predates the cuts to the borough’s grant from government.) Advice from Rasoul Shahilow is to keep pressing for alterations.  Members should continue to press for improvements either by letter or email to HBC and ESCC. Keep the pressure on people. Write and email HBC and ESCC.

Warrior Square. It was noted that there are problems with all day parking in Warrior Square.

Police Forum. A more visible police presence is required and there should be less tolerance with the street drinkers.  Bill advised that a new post was being created for a co-ordinator working to take action against anti-social behaviour.  The co-ordinator will need to communicate with local groups including the business community.

It was agreed that the association would want to support the co-ordinator to improve.

Contact numbers and a way of keeping track of all incidents will be on this site soon. Only if we keep a record, and let the Police know of all incidents will we effect any change.

Emma Lincoln has been meeting with Terry Drinkwater and reported that trees were being planted and that finger posts were due to be installed.   A meeting of the St Leonards Forum was to be held on 16-6 and should be attended by Jeremy Birch who was now Leader of HBC.

St Leonards Festival. The festival is to take place on 17^th July.  It was disappointing that the association had not been kept fully informed of progress and it was understood that funding had been an issue.  Carol who was the association’s representative on the committee had not been receiving communications.  It is hoped that the festival will continue to be successful.

St Leonards Leaflet. Carol produced a leaflet advertising local businesses and provided copies.  These leaflets are available in a wide area and Carol’s clients are helping to distribute them.  Leaflets are available from Carol at Solo in Silchester Road.  She is already planning an updated version for later in the year.

S.B.A.

St Leonards on Sea Business Association

Chairman- Bill Orton
Ortons The Butcher
11 Norman Road
St Leonards-on-Sea
East Sussex TN37 6NH
01424 420322
www.sba-online.co.uk

18th November 2009

Rasoul Shahilow

Head of Parking & Highways Aquila House

Breeds Place

Hastings

East Sussex TN34 3UY

Dear Rasoul

Parking in St Leonards – West Side Norman Road Si Crystal Square

On behalf of the St Leonards Business Association I have been asked to request that the one hour parking restriction on the west side of Norman Road be reviewed and adjusted to a two hour no return limit

Generally the one hour restriction on the eastern side of London Road including the east side of Norman Road is working well for businesses and customers alike. Silchester Road at two hours is also satisfactory, however the majority of the customers of the businesses in the west side of Norman Road need time to browse and find the one hour insufficient. The antique shops located here are gaining a wide reputation for the quality of their offer and attract customers to St Leonards from far afield. There have been numerous cases of these customers receiving fixed penalty notices which is a deterrent to them but these are exactly the type of customer the regeneration programme was designed to attract.

I believe that during various discussions with you on parking issues we have reached a consensus that parking is a vital element in creating a climate where business can flourish and therefore I hope you will be favourably responsive to this request.

At a meeting of the Business Association last evening concern was also expressed that Crystal Square car park is underutilised; this we believe is in part due to poor signage directing motorists to this amenity and there also seems to be confusion about the route to leave the car park. There have been cases of drivers trying to use South Street to access London Road. When the proposals to close the junction of Cross Street and London Road we did request that this needed more thought, but unfortunately the closure has happened without any further discussion with the Association.

We would welcome the opportunity to discuss the above issues with as a matter of urgency or at least your response to this letter as soon as possible.

Yours sincerely

Bill Orton Chairman

Cc Pranesh Data

Parking regulations changed in Norman Road a few months ago, basically limiting the wait to 1 hour, down from 2 hours.

The six month trial period will be ending soon and we would like some idea of how people have felt about this. Has it been good for trade, bad for trade, couldn’t tell? Have surrounding streets become more parked up, have residents found it harder to park: any answers and comments would be very welcome.

Please leave them below. Thanks.

(Or sign one of the petition forms in one of the shops on Norman Road.)

The new parking regulations, mostly affecting the Norman Road area whilst Kings Road is worked on, is getting a mixed response. The traders at the Warrior Square end like the 1 hour limit as it means there is always parking available for customers. Up the hill, the traders, especially the antique traders feel 1 hour is too short a time for browsing properly.

Please let us know your feelings on this, both now and as the scheme settles in, so that we can submit detailed responses to the 6 monthly review.

Feelings still run high about Kings Road. The work seems ahead of schedule but the actual handover date, (from contractor to local authority), seems confused. SBA is in talks with the council on aspects of this, again, if you feel you need a voice, let us know.