Insane parking measures
Dear Editor, The comments made by ESCC in the article are idiotic. There isn’t any congestion in Bexhill except congestion as a direct result of the endless ‘traffic control’ measures due to the continuous road works carried out for fibre optic cables, gas, water etc.
It is illogical and disingenuous to charge parking fees for higher emitting vehicles if and when they are stationary. The road fund licence makes that distinction already, and it isn’t the role of local ‘suits’ to further penalise owners.
Increasing parking charges decreases footfall and ensures vehicles search for free parking in residential areas, thus giving cause to further extend paying residents parking areas, thus increasing guaranteed income stream in the future.
I have lived in Bexhill for a decade and have not experienced anything but significant downgrading of the town centre with significant retail closures. This seeking to increase charges will when added to the increase in business rates, just make the town centre a business desert!
J Roberts
Independent shops need support
Dear Editor, At a time when businesses in Bexhill are struggling with the myriad of economic pressures, it surely behoves the Council to help them rather than hammer more nails in their coffins.
It beggars belief that anyone can think that increasing parking charges will have a ‘positive impact on the local economy’.
With an increasing number of shop premises standing empty, not to mention bank closures and the general unkemptness of the town centre, what is there to recommend it to visitors? Especially with the proposed increases in parking charges. It will surely drive people away, causing a self-perpetuating downward spiral of closures.
We do still have some wonderful independent shops in Bexhill, but to ensure they are able to remain in business, surely there should be increased incentives to visit the town as opposed to the negative impact of parking charges, increasing totally out of line with inflation and at a time when family’s budgets are sorely stretched.
J. Bull
Free parking rules!
Dear Editor, Here we go again — let’s all do our shopping at Tesco or Sainsbury’s, where there’s free parking.
Don’t this half-brained council realise they are forcing people to abandon the town? Parking machines removed because nobody is using them as a business charging for parking is not working.
Therefore, like any business, if it is not producing, it needs to close or go bankrupt.
Barry Willmott
Answers please!
Dear Editor, The increase in parking fees is one matter. However, I still can’t obtain a sensible response from the district or county council about the pointless four-hour parking limits and very limited all-day parking, which discourage visitors to Bexhill on Sea.
Also, the discriminatory method of parking payment to exclusively smartphone users, who are prepared to pay the RingGo supplement. Perhaps someone responsible would like to respond through Bexhill News.
Steve Hall
Bring on Devolution
Dear Editor, Councillor Claire Dowling represents Buxted, therefore, she has no interest in Bexhill.
More shops might go out of business, but that is not her problem. East Sussex Council is a mess, Rother Councillors have no idea, so the sooner these are replaced by a new authority, the better.
Secondly, I think it would be better if Councillors were elected to a position on the authority so we get competent people with necessary qualifications.
Russell Dufton
Reduced town centre visits
Dear Editor, Increasing the charges will do nothing for the town. Paying by phone is also a bar to many wanting to park, as many do not have a suitable phone or the will to pay the extra cost for that method.
I no longer use the town centre shops as a result and parking fees prevent my visiting restaurants and takeaways in town as I used to do.
The council has effectively driven our custom out of town, and their policies continue to penalise those who live here and deny us the opportunity to enjoy our town.
Barry Clark
Follow the lead of other areas
Dear Editor, The increase in parking charges will put a final nail in the coffin for the shops and businesses in Bexhill.
Many of us have cut down our visits to the town and now will cease altogether.
Hailsham has free parking; Little Common is cheaper and thriving, so I mostly shop there anyway. It will also increase the number of people using a delivery service.
It is sad to see our town lose the little individual shops that gave a reason for people to move here.
Well done, ESCC and Rother, for going along with it.
My late husband Stuart Earl would have been horrified — he loved this, his hometown, and he had been the owner of Earl’s bakery for many years.
Deirdre Earl
After 30 years — we’re done!
Dear Editor, We have been seafront residents for 30 years in Bexhill. We have never seen the town and seafront in such a poor state.
It is run down with numerous empty retail units, bank buildings, etc. No one parks on the seafront now; it is quite desolate. Our rates are about to double as second homeowners; we do not cost the council anything in terms of services and spend money in the local economy.
Sadly, we will be selling up.
E Sewell
Layby confusion
Dear Editor, There used to be a lay-by near the top entrance to Bexhill cemetery, but the local authorities have so much money, they decided to waste a load on painting stripes on the road surface and putting up bollards, so that people can no longer park there.
This is where a council won’t spend money keeping public toilets open, in a town where being incontinent is a prerequisite to residency.
P Goodwin
NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
It’s so very sad to read all the letters we’ve received from readers on the increased parking charges in Bexhill starting next month.
No one likes a hike in any costs, but I do feel very sad for the shops and businesses, like all of us, are just trying to make a living in the town.
To a certain extent, I can understand what the councils are doing. They need to encourage public transport and almost force people to leave the car at home. But, that just doesn’t simply work in a town like ours. In London, yes! But, in Bexhill, many people need their cars and they actually love the range of independent shops we have in town.
These are really, really tricky times for everyone, but we really need to try to support those shops in town who always need us to visit them. Let’s not just sit back and turn our backs on the town centre.
If you’re able, consider parking further out of town and walking/cycling or learning about the buses that may come right past your house. It is very easy for us just to rely on the car as a matter of cause, and I’m just as guilty.
I travel to Brighton socially but just won’t take the car anymore. It was way too expensive to park, and last time, I got a ticket for using a bus lane! For £3 each way on the bus, it’s a no-brainer! I just feel that sometimes, it’s worth us taking a little bit of time to think about our habits and if they can be changed, and still continue to support these small local businesses that need us as much as we need them!
Please keep your letters coming. Email us your comments and letters to letters@bexhilll.news
aul Gibson
