Residents have hit out at proposals to introduce restrictions on 24 streets in a town to crack down on commuters using them as “free car parks”.
Hundreds of people living in the Newtown ward of Dartford have signed a petition against the plans, claiming most of the roads don’t have any issues and it is a “money-grabbing” ploy.
Dartford council is consulting on a new scheme for the area, following an initial review in October 2022, which suggested the “majority of residents” were concerned about parking and wanted a solution.
Three proposals have been put forward, which include plans for time restrictions, yellow lines, parking bays and permits. There is also a fourth choice to pick none of the above.
In a report discussed by cabinet members in April, officers said they wanted to reduce the number of vehicles driving into the area and using streets as “free car parks” for the railway station and town centre.
It added that most properties in Newtown, which are a 20-minute walk from the station, do not have off-street parking and there was a “general perception that commuter and non-resident parking is causing issues”.
However, some, like Theresa Attwood, claim this is not the case for most of the roads the council want to implement changes on.
The mum has lived in St Vincent’s Road, which could see yellow lines installed, for 25 years and said that the cars parked there during the proposed restricted times are residents.
She added: “I was told that people are parking there for the train station and town centre, but they are not. The cars are not from commuters.
“The problem is that there are more cars. We have more people living in a house now, and most people will have a car each. It is just because there are more cars on the road.”
The 53-year-old, who has one vehicle which she leaves on the street, believes that if the scheme goes ahead, it will limit the number of residents who can use the road, forcing them to park further afield.
She added: “It is just going to move the problem on. It is going to be a fight for survival.
“I understand why they want to put in the parking changes elsewhere, but there is no necessity for the yellow lines on St Vincent’s Road.
“There are other ways to ease the issues. It is just a money grabber.”
Theresa, who works at a nearby school, is also worried the parade of shops will be “killed off” if their customers cannot park anywhere near them due to the area’s restrictions.
She suggested that bays could be installed along St Vincent’s Road instead of yellow lines and the current white boxes to free up more spaces.
Nearby residents, Paul and Mary Stearn, are equally concerned about the implementation of time restrictions in their street, Shenley Road, which could also see permits introduced.
Paul is paralysed from the waist down, uses a wheelchair, and has at least two carers visit a day, who would fall within the time constraints and require a visitor permit.
The couple, who have lived there for 14 years, have been told they will only be able to buy 25 passes a month, which would not be enough, especially if Paul needs further carers if his health changes.
Mary said: “We are concerned as there is no consideration for carers or professionals. We are worried financially about the permits we will need to buy, as it is really going to leave us on the breadline.
“It is another tax. It is not going to help residents; it is just a money-making scheme.”
Like Theresa, the pair said there are no issues with commuters using the street, but there are issues on weekends when most residents are at home all day and parked.
Paul added: “The roads by the station do get a lot of commuters parking there as it is nearer to the station, but we do not have that here.”
He thinks the scheme should be decided on a road-by-road basis and not be implemented on those where there are no issues with non-resident parking.
However, council members raised concerns that if certain streets were excluded from the proposals, it would lead to “parking displacement”.
Despite some saying there are no issues, other residents who live closer to the town centre, like in Gladstone Road, claim they can never park near their homes due to commuters.
Kelum Alahakoon said he usually has to leave his car two or three streets away on weekdays.
He added: “In the mornings, you cannot get parked at all. If you go out, there will be no spaces when you come back.
“I think it will be a good idea. It is a big issue here as it is near the station. Permits would also be good as it would stop the commuters from using the road.”
Ellie Park also said she had noticed a problem; however does not think it necessarily warrants intervention, as you can always find spaces nearby.
She added: “I bought this house knowing it had no parking, but if you cannot get parked on this road, you can elsewhere.
“It is frustrating when you can see people parking for the station, but I think it is expected when you get a house with no parking.”
Ward councillor Laura Edie (Green) has urged residents to respond to the consultation to ensure that a scheme is not brought in by a ”very small percentage of people” which does not necessarily reflect the majority of views.
She added: “Parking is incredibly challenging in Newtown, the reality being that the Victorian streets were built at a time when cars were few and far between, and they are simply not designed for modern-day living.
“Often households have more than one car, and as children tend to stay as they get older, this creates a large number of vehicles which exceeds the capacity of street space.
“This area is also a thriving community, adorned with long-standing, wonderful local shops and organisations. All of this contributes to difficulties in parking.
“Although I think the most challenging time to park in this area is during the evenings, weekends and school holidays, the point of this study was to ease issues caused by commuter parking.
“However, having a single or double yellow line across one whole stretch of St Vincent’s Road, Great Queen Street and Fulwich Road will be completely counterproductive to this aim.
“Where are the vehicles that usually park along here meant to go? I am very concerned that this will cause massive displacement along the roads beyond St Vincent’s.”
You can view the consultation, which ends on Sunday, July 20, here.
A detailed design is expected to be completed in October, and if agreed, the parking controls will begin early next year.
Dartford council was approached for comment.
