Following considerable confusion earlier this year about whether or not the coalition in control of the council was pressing ahead with its plans to introduce parking charges at Crimdon, I've now received notification of an internal consultation exercise on revised charges. You can find background details to this issue in this link: Coalition urged to come clean about its Crimdon parking charge fiasco
I've responded to the internal consultation by reiterating my objections to any parking charges at Crimdon. I've also challenged the council to hold an open and meaningful public consultation exercise so that they can gauge first hand the overwhelming level of public opposition to the proposed charging regime. Please see full details of my letter of objection below:
Please take the following comments as my formal objection to the introduction of parking charges at Crimdon:
I support the introduction of measures to prevent obstructive parking practices at the access to the bungalow at the southern edge of Crimdon. However, I do not support the introduction of parking charges at Crimdon.
Since the proposal to introduce parking charges at Crimdon was first suggested I have been contacted by a significant number of residents and visitors who agree with me that parking charges will drive tourism away from Crimdon at a time when everything should be done to attract visitors to Crimdon and the villages along the East Durham coast. I can confirm that I have received no indication of support for parking charges at Crimdon.
Opposition to this proposal was reflected in a consultation exercise carried out at the time when parking charges at Crimdon and Seaham were first suggested as part of the council’s latest MTFP proposals earlier this year. There was an unusually high level of public engagement with the consultation exercise, with similarly huge levels of opposition expressed by members of the public to the introduction of parking charges. It is noted that there was no discernible element of support.
Despite those objections parking charges were eventually introduced in Seaham and judging by many reports since then the charges have had a devastating impact on some local businesses in the town. I have no doubt that if residents are ignored again, and parking charges are introduced at Crimdon, there will be a similarly regressive effect on visitor numbers and local businesses.
Introducing parking charges at key tourist/visitor locations like Crimdon will have a negative impact on the resort itself, alongside the nearby villages where additional business generated by visitors is welcomed and needed now as much as it ever was. The proof that parking charges will damage the local economy and drive down visitor numbers can be seen just a few miles up the road in Seaham.
Finally, I would urge the council to carry out a thorough and meaningful public consultation exercise to gauge public feeling about this issue. Members of the public, the business sector and visitors were ignored before parking charges were introduced at Seaham, and the result has been catastrophic for the town and especially for a number local businesses. The same mistakes must not be repeated.
The people deserve to be heard and they must be assured that their opinions on this matter will be treated with respect and taken fully into account before any final decision is reached.
For the reasons set out above I wholeheartedly oppose the introduction of parking charges at Crimdon, and I know from their representations and the outcome of an initial public consultation exercise that thousands of residents, businesses and visitors are fully supportive of my position on this matter. I urge the council to test public feeling and then respect the outcome.
Regards,
Cllr Rob Crute (Blackhall Division)
