Conservatives to introduce On-Street Parking Charges

Liberal Democrats say on-street parking charges will hit our community hard

As a result of a new policy introduced by Conservative run Surrey County Council, town and village centres will lose their free on-street parking during the course of the next year.

Across Spelthorne - Ashford, Sunbury, Shepperton and Staines will see charges introduced before the end of summer 2011. In town centre locations such as Ashford Church Road and Shepperton High Street charges will be a minimum 30p for half-an-hour but could be as high as 70p per half-hour.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Colin Strong said: "Spelthorne has felt the consequences of recession for some time and have retail economies, which are fragile. This proposal is a further unnecessary blow, which will discourage short visits to local shops and result in even more pressure on already overcrowded nearby residential streets.

"Residents will no-longer have the opportunity of calling at a cashpoint, making a quick visit to a chemist or newsagent or delivering or collecting parcels from a dry cleaners or specialist shop without having to pay heavily for the privilege. There will be additional costs to retailers for window cleaners and other tradespeople carrying out necessary work to their premises.

"This is an unacceptable imposition on retailers and residents which can only damage local economies and inconvenience local people. Spelthorne Lib Dems oppose these moves strongly and have launched a campaign and petition against the plans."

The following roads are on the hit list to lose free on-street parking.

• Shepperton: High Street
• Sunbury Cross: The Parade
• Ashford: Church Road, Woodthorpe Road (just the parking bays by the shops), Knapp Road, Station Approach
• Staines: Knowle Green, Church Street

View the decision by Surrey County Council's cabinet member for Transportation

Sign our Petition to say NO! On-Street Parking Charges