Conservative Victory as On-Street and Residents' parking charges are SCRAPPED!
Local Conservatives are celebrating victory in their campaign to stop the introduction of on-street parking and residents' permit charges. Following a huge public and political outcry the Lib Dem / Labour led Cumbria County Council has announced that these charges will not now be introduced.
Dr Ann Myatt, Conservative Candidate for Westmorland and Lonsdale in 2015 said 'I welcome this decision. Imposing on-street parking charges is bad for business, bad for residents and bad for tourists. It also makes it very hard for lower paid workers to make ends meet if they have to pay for all-day parking. Councils in other parts of the country have tried imposing charges for parking to raise money and as a result business has suffered and High Streets and town centres have become ghost towns. Conversely, where there is free parking there are prosperous and lively shopping streets. I am pleased that Cumbria County Council has finally seen sense, listened to the overwhelming opposition of the general public and dropped these outrageous proposals.'
James Airey, Leader of the Conservatives at Cumbria County Council said 'I am delighted that the political Leadership at the County Council have finally listened to the overwhelming opinion of the public right across South Lakeland. It is a disgrace that this has taken so long despite huge opposition from the beginning of this failed project. Questions now need to be asked as to how much these ill thought out proposals have cost the taxpayers of South Lakeland. Again political decisions by local Lib Dems have cost us all dearly.'