Inflexible parking scheme 'reduces quality of life'
Berkshire Today
By Lucy Thorne
Lucythorne@Readingchronicle.Co.Uk
WATCHDOG councillors say Reading's parking permit scheme is too inflexible.
There are too few visitors' permits, the scheme discriminates against the vulnerable, elderly and those with an off-street parking space.
Members of the environment scrutiny panel examined a review of the scheme carried out earlier this year, and backed neighbours' calls to increase the annual number of visitor permits from 40 to 60.
The review highlighted possible new pricing options, some of which would treble the cost of a second permit.
Panel members admitted they had not expected the review to cover permit fees, which they did not consider their responsibility, but they were concerned at the scheme's fairness and scope.
Cllr Richard Stainthorp said: "Certain groups of people are having their quality of life reduced as their friends, professionals and people from the church are no longer coming to see them because of lack of visitors permits, and that seems wrong.
"The scheme was not introduced to discriminate against these people.
"Frequently, but not always, these people are elderly or those with some sort of disability, who rely on friends to keep them company."
Cllr Bet Tickner told the panel some are being penalised if their home had a drive or off-road parking space - automatically making the ineligible for a permit.
And the panel also heard the daily permits for traders cost more to administer than the £1 charge.
Panel chairman and deputy mayor Cllr Chris Maskell said: "We are not here to raise prices, we are here to look at the scheme and decide whether or not anomalies should be addressed.
"Visitor permits are an issue. I would suggest the first two books are free of charge and the maximum number is 60.
"And it seems rather silly to have a £1 charge for traders' daily permits when the administration costs are very much greater."
He said there should be a relaxation for vulnerable residents, and that discrimination against vehicle owners with off-street parking is unfair.
By Lucy Thorne
Lucythorne@Readingchronicle.Co.Uk
WATCHDOG councillors say Reading's parking permit scheme is too inflexible.
There are too few visitors' permits, the scheme discriminates against the vulnerable, elderly and those with an off-street parking space.
Members of the environment scrutiny panel examined a review of the scheme carried out earlier this year, and backed neighbours' calls to increase the annual number of visitor permits from 40 to 60.
The review highlighted possible new pricing options, some of which would treble the cost of a second permit.
Panel members admitted they had not expected the review to cover permit fees, which they did not consider their responsibility, but they were concerned at the scheme's fairness and scope.
Cllr Richard Stainthorp said: "Certain groups of people are having their quality of life reduced as their friends, professionals and people from the church are no longer coming to see them because of lack of visitors permits, and that seems wrong.
"The scheme was not introduced to discriminate against these people.
"Frequently, but not always, these people are elderly or those with some sort of disability, who rely on friends to keep them company."
Cllr Bet Tickner told the panel some are being penalised if their home had a drive or off-road parking space - automatically making the ineligible for a permit.
And the panel also heard the daily permits for traders cost more to administer than the £1 charge.
Panel chairman and deputy mayor Cllr Chris Maskell said: "We are not here to raise prices, we are here to look at the scheme and decide whether or not anomalies should be addressed.
"Visitor permits are an issue. I would suggest the first two books are free of charge and the maximum number is 60.
"And it seems rather silly to have a £1 charge for traders' daily permits when the administration costs are very much greater."
He said there should be a relaxation for vulnerable residents, and that discrimination against vehicle owners with off-street parking is unfair.
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