Live on Manx Radio yesterday I stated that I had recommended no charge for a residents parking disc. My Minister asked me to contribute to developing a residents parking policy, specifically “how a charge may be implemented in combination with other measures which will benefit permit holders”. That involved investigation of information held by the Department of Infrastructure; and discussions at three public meetings involving the Directors of Highways, Planning and Finance. These meetings - and parallel communication and media discussion with the public - provided “an opportunity to identify any changes needed in how permits are used and what could be done to benefit permit holders”. The review will not be completed until the New Year but I am recommending to the Minister that there is no charge for residents parking permits next spring although it is clear that many aspects of the residents parking scheme can be improved. The review will include recommendations. In summary there are two issues in this, firstly the Department of Infrastructure’s 2014/15 budget, and secondly Douglas parking policy and Island transport strategy more generally. The timescale for necessary enhancement of the latter goes beyond the date when an unreasonable charge would be levied on a small group of Douglas residents. Moreover the charge proposed is not properly allocated and the cost of introducing it is greater than any benefit. Improving the parking in Douglas involves detailed investigation street-by-street as well as new approaches to administration and enforcement of the scheme, and better policy and planning. I encourage groups of neighbours to get together to make written suggestions, and to work with their local MHKs, councillors and government officers to develop local enhancements to squeeze the vehicles we feel we need into the available space. Even if the Minister accepts my recommendation, I do not regard this as a U turn. A review was set up to inform the Minister’s final decision. More generally, and as I wrote on my facebook page when Laurence Skelly announced this package of charges back in June 2014, before either the Minister or I were in the department: “Why were on-street & residents parking charges not identified as potential new charges in June 2013 when I asked for a list of potential new charges? Unfortunately this will colour peoples view; this review & eventual new transport strategy, plan & policies will be perceived as new charges, not as better transport. What a shame. Also why is it only government carrying out this review. Douglas Corporation & others are also involved. Moreover the scope and the timetable for the review are constraining.”
Posted on: Fri, 05 Dec 2014 10:20:41 +0000
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