4500 names were gathered together during a recent petition against increased car parking charges in Mengeham Hayling Island.
The petition and covering letter were submitted yesterday (May 14) to Havant Borough Council with the view to abolishing the charges. Arguments suggest that local shop and business owners will lose out to off island companies such as big retailers who all feature free parking.
Affordability for elderly residents is also a real concern.
A copy of the letter can be found in the Hayling forum thread here – https://hayling.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=42684
The situation has caused uproar among islanders who claim the hike is unfair. Local councillor and outspoken campaigner against the price rise Andy Lenaghan has already been removed from his position as scrutiniser of island parking issues.
Similar circumstances have also been reported around the country and as such Government minister Eric Pickles has now come on board to champion the cause of grace periods for locals who want to pop into shops. The Daily Mail has more on the national situation http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2324069/Pickles-wants-free-parking-popping-shops-Minister-wants-grace-period-combat-ridiculously-high-charges.html?ito=feeds-newsxml
The Portsmouth News snapped a picture of the petition being handed in yesterday which you can see here http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/local/petition-with-4-500-names-is-given-to-council-1-5091727
If anyone wants to join the debate then head over to the forum thread here
https://hayling.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=42672
Hayling residents now await the outcome.
