On-line comments

On-line comments

Here are 66 comments selected from over 250 open-ended opinions to the on-line petition.

1: A quick trip to the bank and post office also usually incorporates a trip to the local shops to buy small items/gifts, or to the co-op. (I do this maybe twice a week and stay no longer than 30-40 mins each time). Why bother when you have to pay for parking? I would definitely change my habits and do these activities where I don't need to pay for parking, or combine them with longer trips to places where I pay for parking and have more choice of shops.
2: As a Cranbrook retailer the charges will hit me in 3 ways: I will lose a huge number customers, many of whom combine school runs with shopping and they will not want the aggravation of paying to park for a short period; my staff will suffer financially unless I compensate them for parking charges; I will have to pay up to £120 a week for my personal parking. Any one of these consequences of the charges could seriously affect the life of my business: the combination of all 3 could see the death of it. TWBC will be wholly responsible.
3: As a member and elder of Cranbrook Congregational Church, located right on the High Street, I can confidently say that fee-paying parking will be detrimental to our services in the community -- not only for worship, but for free coffee mornings, appreciated by both residents and tourists alike!
4: As a resident with no parking at my house, the idea that the cost of an annual parking permit is almost as much as the Council Tax for a 1 bed flat is just alien to natural justice. I pay my council tax - this is literally daylight robbery. TWBC should look at Barnet for a new approach to spending money.
5: As a small business employing twelve staff the cost of parking will need to be funded by my business as staff cannot be expected to cover this additional cost. This will increase my costs by in excess of £10,000 per year. Whether this cost can be passed on in these challenging economic times is extremely doubtful. These charges will be yet another 'kick in the teeth' for business in Cranbrook!!
6: As Clerk to the Parish Council and working within the Information Centre, I have first hand experience that people say they have come to Cranbrook because there is free parking. They come after visiting such attractions as Sissinghurst Castle because there is free parking, they can have a meal, visit our independent shops etc. We also win sometimes in the trade between Tenterden and Cranbrook because of our free parking. It could be that some businesses choose to locate to Cranbrook because of free parking for their employees and their clients.
7: At 07:30, 43 residents parked in Tanyard -No alternative- enables elderly to live independently - will compromise business viability - residents keep the centre attractive to visit
8: At a time when the country as a whole is experiencing the worst recession for over 50 years and there are at least 7 empty retail units in High Street and Stone Street alone it does seem somewhat of a backward step to remove the attraction of free parking. Whether you are a worker, a shopper or a tourist the attraction of free parking is more likely to encourage you to stay or visit again. I am fortunate in that I can park behind my office for free, there are others who will not be so lucky. If charges are introduced then workers who would otherwise use the car parks will use residential streets in the early mornings thereby creating more congestion on these residential roads and more danger especially for children.The attraction to shoppers will reduce causing a potential reduction in the number of shoppers coming into the town thereby precipitating further shop closures. Tourists are likely to spend less time to enjoy the local sites for fear of getting a ticket so will be more likely to spend less time in the town and the shorter the period of time they are in the town the less money they will spend. The economy of Cranbrook needs to be encouraged and supported at this time and energy concentrated in making the area more vibrant and attractive and profitable not in the introduction of schemes that could have exactly the opposite effect.
9: Cllr Thomas, with due respect, should not compare Paddock Wood and Cranbrook as equal opportunities for revenue raising. Paddock Wood is a commuter town on the main line railway to London - one expects to pay London parking fees to leave behind one's car. Cranbrook, in contrast, bases its economy on tourism and visiting shoppers coming INTO the town. Only 2 mentions have so far been made about the original TWBC Covenant that by allowing a supermarket to be built in the town, free parking was promised, as far as I remember, in perpetuity. This surely could have legal implications were the charges to be imposed.
10: Cranbrook is a delightful place to shop with a good variety of outlets. If I had to pay to park however long I was there it would definitely deter me from going. Perhaps a model like Tenterden would be more appropriate: a mixture of on-street and supermarket car parking that is free for an hour alongside longer term parking that is paid for. Local people should not be penalised for supporting their local businesses.
11: Cranbrook is currently friendly to residents, visitors and shoppers, but charging for car parking will reverse this friendly atmosphere.
12: Cranbrook is unique in character, architecture and trades. Part of that uniqueness is the unusual parking facilities. Cranbrook, you have to fight all attempts to turn the town into yet another homogeneous clone. If TWBC wants to raise funds there are other ways to do it.
13: Cranbrook's economy is built around the free car park: house prices, businesses and, as a result is a fairly flourishing little town. The charges would cripple the entire town. NB The original Gateway supermarket was built with a covenant that the parking should be free for all time - also no Sunday trading. The Sunday trading ban was lifted after much debate and local participation. The Council has no legal right surely to alter the original terms.
14: I live in Horsmonden virtually half way between Cranbrook & Tunbridge Wells. At present I choose to shop in Cranbrook as I can park for free but if charges are introduced I will go to Tun Wells and get the bigger choice of shops. Additionally working in Cranbrook I will park and walk rather than pay to park and this will be unpopular to local residents.
15: Cranbrook's retail trade suffered badly in the not-too-distant-past prior to the updating and improvement of the Co-op when many, many residents (and those from the surrounding villages) transferred their grocery shopping to Tesco, Tenterden, They then, quite understandably, took advantage of the free parking there to walk through to the High Street to buy other items. This trade took a very long time to recover - indeed, many shoppers have yet to rediscover the now much improved Co-op. Let's not allow history to repeat itself!! Whilst on my soap-box I am also concerned about the effect charging for car parking might have on our tourism. One of our selling points - in addition to our lovely church, museum and windmill - is the fact that we can advertise free parking.
16: Remember, too, that TWBC failed to honour their commitment to provide a 2 or 3 space coach park which was part of the Co-op planning consent, putting in place the present unworkable system whereby longer coaches find they ground as they come back out onto the High Street as the roadway is badly constructed - hence, they don't come back again.
17: Yet another TWBC shamble!! The Borough may have short memories, but rest assured the people of Cranbrook do not. We are treated like the poor relation of the borough. Let's keep on making our voices heard!
18: Free parking in Cranbrook is very important for people living in nearby villages such as Goudhurst. We need to visit the Bank , the Library as well as many of the shops. Parking fees would hit pensioners badly.
19: I actually live just outside of Cranbrook and will often pop in for a few items such as DIY just before picking up the kids from school. I simply will not pay for parking to buy low ticket items. In addition I run a self catering holiday home and holiday makers often just want to buy essentials. Staplehurst is 3 miles with free parking. Cranbrook is 3.5 miles, if there is a parking charge as charming as Cranbrook is, I'll advise them to go to Staplehurst for the basics.
20: I always choose Cranbrook over Tenterden as my local shopping centre as the parking is free. To introduce parking charges would sound a death knell for the town
21: I am about to move to Cranbrook. Cranbrook is a wonderful Wealden town, which benefits from visitors from far and wide, not to mention local trade. It is somewhere mothers 'pop' into en route to school, because they can quickly stop and pick up something without parking charges, if you remove this facility it will be detrimental to local business and the town. It is a short-sighted BAD idea.
22: I feel the move to pay and display charges will compromise the success of local businesses and that we, the residents contribute to keeping the town centre an attractive and desirable place to visit and should not be penalised by a desire to raise revenue without considering the consequences of the community.
23: I have a business partner in Cranbrook and visit on a regular basis. When there I take the opportunity to use local shops etc. If fees are introduced I will certainly visit less as I will do more electronically. Free parking is one reason why our business is in Cranbrook in the first place.
24: I have to work, not for extra income but to allow myself and my children to live reasonable life. I actually live nearer to Tunbridge wells but was lucky enough to find a job in Cranbrook that I love. By charging us to park I may well have to consider applying for benefits as this charge would mean extra out goings for me. I shop here, bank here and that would all have to change if I could not continue with my job. So...taking from me and others in a similar position may well mean the council has to give back with the other...what is the point!I
25: recollect that when the fire station was moved we were promised that the car park would be free. I think if car parking charges are applied it would significantly reduce the number of shoppers coming into Cranbrook. This would result in even more shops closing.
26: it will put people off shopping there. The joy now is you can go into a shop on the high street - in and out no fuss - brilliant. Why mend it when it isn’t broke?
27: I live on The Hill in Cranbrook and have done so for over twenty years. My house is on the bend and has double yellow lines which prohibits parking, therefore the Tanyard car park is vital to my needs. I think the whole plan of car park charges is ill thought out and has been put together without taking in the wider views of those of use that live and work in the vicinity. The Cabinet in TWBC, as far as I am aware, is unelected body of councillors who are able to make decisions without referring to public consultation, hence they have been able to get this far without. As I live in the conservation area I would certainly press for planning permission to construct a parking lot in my front garden. The alternative is to park outside the back of my house in front of the windmill, which is where I used to park prior to the construction of those dreadful houses the TWBC pushed through against both Parish and local opinions. The other alternative I would use is to park in the outlying streets and lanes. In line with the opinion of all the people who have taken time to express their views I agree that TWBC is acting in self-interest namely in its own pocket. Cranbrook will not see a penny of this money that may raised. Tacking a different tack there is the environment to consider as people will drive further to other shopping localities increasing traffic in other areas, pollution from car exhausts and using valuable resources namely Petrol
28: I pay over £2,000 per year in community charge (or whatever rates are presently called) and over £10,000 per year in business rates. Most of this sum is wasted on Council officers pay and pensions. The only benefit I receive in exchange is to have my dustbin emptied once a fortnight. I have seen better maintained roads in Third world countries. Instead of thinking up idiotic ideas to damage the businesses of those still engaged in the productive sector of the economy, it would be more useful to set about dismissing the army of useless parasites presently employed by the council.
29: I stop at the CO-OP or newsagents for 5 - 10 minutes first thing in the morning on most days on my way home from the Sports Centre. If parking charges were introduced I simply would not stop in Cranbrook anymore.
30: I think that this is a ridiculous proposal that will only damage the local community and businesses. We all need to cut down our carbon emissions and the Council should be adopting policies to persuade people to shop locally, not the reverse. My family enjoy the local Cranbrook shops and the ability to “pop-in” for our top-up shopping and the imposition of charges would simply persuade us to do more shopping at the local superstores in Tunbridge Wells or Maidstone. We know that our weekly shop would be cheaper at Sainsbury’s or Tesco, but this is currently off-set by the additional time and travel costs. The addition of a parking tax for Cranbrook would change this balance and ultimately we will all be the losers. I urge the Council to re-think their position on this issue and I hope that common sense will prevail.
31: I understand that TWBC is looking at charging in car parks in Cranbrook and you can bet Cranbrook won't see any of the income from it. Where are the people who live in High Street going to park? They do not have garages and probably won't be able to park in street. Are they expected to pay or will they be issued with Residential Parking Permits a I have here in Sydney. It seems that TWBC will stop at nothing when it comes to Cranbrook to fill its own coffers without any benefit to Cranbrook and destroying a once thriving area.
32: Incredible that in different economic climate TWBC want to charge for parking. Already poor infrastructure, will increase congestion, particularly for schools. No rural transport other than cars
33: I used to commute to London from Paddock Wood. In the process I would also use local shops, banks, Post Office, dry cleaners and the supermarket. However when they introduced the draconian parking restrictions and charges (I could not park in the station as there were not enough spaces in the car park) I changed my behaviour and used a different station, taking my weekly shop (I now use the Co op in Cranbrook) and other business elsewhere (i.e. Cranbrook). What more evidence does TWBC need that this will strangle Cranbrook. Since the station in Paddock Wood has introduced more parking spaces I now use Paddock Wood Station again, and if I have to pay to park in Cranbrook I will again use the facilities in Paddock Wood. I am not going to pay twice. It should be a special case because of its position and the nature of the businesses there (apart from the co op and chemist, all small independents.)
34: I would certainly visit Cranbrook to shop less frequently, if at all, and I would park on a residential street outside someone's house rather than pay for car parking. As a past resident, I know what it's like when people park over your gateway or outside your front door, and this is inevitably what will happen, especially people who work in the town. They will NOT be prepared to play musical cars on a daily basis. PLEASE PLEASE stop this nonsense, and LEAVE CRANBROOK ALONE.
35: I would NOT come to Cranbrook if I had to pay for parking. Shame, as I have lived in or around the town for many, many years and know and love the place, the people, and the businesses.
36: If car parking charges are introduced in Cranbrook, I will use my polluting, gas guzzling vehicle to drive to Sainsbury's in Hastings.
37: If Cranbrook town is going to survive then the issue of car parking fees should be discarded immediately. Whenever I am out and about people ask me where I live, when I say Cranbrook then the response is always the same "oh Cranbrook that's a wonderful little town - great for an afternoon out, so much to see, and the shops are so interesting and varied". I am quite sure that when people are faced with parking fees, then the visitors will stop. This would be disastrous for Cranbrook town. Also, from a personal view, I am unable to walk to the town and carry shoping home - I use my car - so do many people who are elderly and those who are very busy - parking fees will be an extra financial burden on those already facing the recession.
38: If parking was not free my friends would visit less.
39: In my opinion the only reason for parking charges in Cranbrook is to give TWBC more revenue. They take no notice of what the residents of Cranbrook want either in this regard or over other matters. Sadly I fear they will go ahead anyway regardless of the opinions and arguments of those of us who live and work here. Sadly I've seen it all happen before on other issues that affect us in Cranbrook.
40: In these economically challenged times, shop owners do not need another kick in the teeth. If we have to pay to park in Cranbrook, people will not bother to come here. There is no shortage of parking spaces ,I have never had a problem parking, my children go to school in Sissinghurst so Cranbrook is my nearest shopping centre. The only reason for doing this is to generate income for the council - if this goes ahead I would like to see every shop holder and business in Cranbrook given a reduction in their rates “cos” otherwise there will be tumbleweed blowing down the high street. NO NO NO!!!
41: Is it me, or do others feel that TWBC have been underhand in the way that these proposed parking charges have been very quietly slid into a meeting at the beginning of Jan 2009 when most people were still on Christmas holiday. It seems that they have deliberately chosen a time to do something this controversial when very few people will be aware of their plans. We live in a beautiful rural town steeped in centuries of history that brings visitors from around the world - the independent retailers and our quirky attractions are what set us apart from the crowd. If we allow these parking charges to happen, our small businesses will eventually close one by one, the heart of our town will die and sadly, once they have gone, they will never return.
42: I understand that TWBC may have invested in the Icelandic banks and got their fingers badly burnt. But why should Cranbrook pay for their ineptitude? This seems to be their way of clawing back some quick money at our expense. Maybe if these bureaucrats lived in our beautiful town they would know why we say NO NO NO to these charges. Do they want the death of this historic town on their hands!!!
43: Object to pay when earning minimum wage. Customer said they signed petition as they love quirky shops
44: It was a JOY to move to Cranbrook last year and discover that (unlike Tenterden), parking was free. We regularly pick up a steam carpet cleaner from Quilters, (necessitating 5-10 mins to book it out / provide proof of identity) and should NOT be prepared to pay a 15 min parking fee in order to do this. The fact that you can pop down and park free to post a last minute letter, pick up a paper, tablets or groceries for instance, means that people park and move on with ease, releasing spaces for others to do the same. The point about visitors / tourists is also a good one. Free parking encourages visitors to linger and boost the local business revenue through extending their stay / use of local hostilleries, facilities, visitor attractions. This is essentially a resident's - not merely a car driver's - perspective, as we often use bikes as well. All residents who love this small, bustling and delightful town, must unite in declaring "NO TO CAR PARKING FEES!"
45: It would be such a shame if parking charges were brought to Cranbrook. It is a small town with a high street full of independent retailers and a great atmosphere - it is easy to park and a great pleasure to visit and browse in these little shops. If parking charges were introduced, I would be less likely to visit the town on a regular basis. Apart from the extra cost to me there is also the hassle of having the right change and wasting time buying a ticket. Visitors may start to park around residential areas to avoid buying a ticket and it could bring chaos to the community. The council would do well to listen to the businesses, residents and visitors of Cranbrook and scrap the new scheme.
46: My business employs 12 people who all drive in to work in Cranbrook. The extra annual cost could be £12,000 which between us we would have to find. This would be higher than any other cost except our wages and rent.
47: The company that research Cranbrook's parking requirements had the word "parking" in its name – hardly surprising that it came up in favour of paid for car parking. The research should have been independent.
48: My husband and I have lived in Frittenden for more than 20 years - my husband is originally from Headcorn. I was talking today to a long-standing Cranbrook shopkeeper who gloomily said that he worried that a petition would make no difference to TWBC in imposing these dreadful charges. What was needed was the economic argument, and it was hard to prove a negative. We talked this over at home and thought of several ideas which I hope will be useful. One is that there may be organisations which have collated data on similar schemes introduced in similar towns. I wonder if, for example, Common Ground or the CPRE (The Campaign to Protect Rural England ) might have some leads here. The other is that instead of proving the negative we should ask TWBC to prove with a proper budget and forward planning that their scheme WILL benefit Cranbrook. I feel that this is our right - they should PROVE that it is a good scheme for us FINANCIALLY. I believe that all they will be able to prove is that TWBC will make more money. They may prove that car travel will decrease, but given that this is the ONLY way many of us can get to the town, which is our main local shopping place, this is insufficient. People will actually drive further afield, which exposes any green-wash. I sent a version of this comment to the Weald Business Association and I hope they might take up this challenge to TWBC. THEY MUST PROVE IT!
49: On one hand if the car parks in Cranbrook charged then I might walk into town for small items more frequently than I do. On the other hand if I need to do a larger shop and I am going to have to get into my car to do this why would I choose to do this in Cranbrook? Only 15 minutes away is Tesco's in Tenterden who don't charge for parking. If I have to pay to park at the Co-Op I am not going to use it for my once weekly family shop, I will go to Tenterden instead.
50: One advantage we have over neighbouring towns such as Tenterden is our free parking. TWBC have already treated us badly over the council office this would be the last straw for me. This will be another display of how TWBC have no interest in how local people feel and businesses survive outside their main town.
51: Parking charges will not help tourism - we at the Cranbrook Windmill Association are always being asked to open longer and increase visitor numbers, this will; be very difficult to achieve if visitors are charged for parking
52: Please accept my apologies as I will be working at that time but be assured I am 100% against paying to park in Cranbrook. Today was so quiet and that was with free parking - what would it be like having to pay? One customer who is becoming a regular said he now came to Cranbrook to do his banking/post office/general shopping as there was no way he was paying to park in Headcorn. Says it all!! RE Public Consultation: What can I say, except more money wasted!!
53: Small shops are already struggling. Adversely effect economic vitality. Inadequate bus service to take people to other shopping areas. Hit tourism. Lack of parking for residents in town centre. Will alienate people towards TWBC.
54: Thank you for the latest information . I can't believe that those arrogant councillors just don't listen to the people of Cranbrook All they ever do is take from Cranbrook What can we do ?? Do they really want to kill Cranbrook we all look after our old properties and really try to make it an attractive place to visit Could everybody refuse to pay? Could they take everybody to court. It makes me feel very angry. If they must why not a set charge of £1 A DAY If Tenterden is anything to go by the place is always crawling with traffic wardens and you need 3 A levels to study the complicated charges Thank you for all the work you are putting in to this problem
55: The biggest loosers will be the COOP & its customers as Tesco intend to build a new store at Staplehurst Station, with courtesy parking, thus jeopardizing the CO-OP's commercial viability in Cranbrook.
56: There are other ways to fill budget deficits. The way to improving income is to work with businesses and the community. Draconian approaches will alienate people and kill entrepreneurs and commercial expansion. I am truly worried that Cranbrook is on the slippery slope to being just a social housing estate.
57: There are plenty of offices available outside the town with their own free car parks. If parking charges are brought in here I shall not be renewing my lease and will find office space elsewhere.
58: TWBC is as out of touch with the residents and taxpayers of Cranbrook as the Government is with the reality of running a happy and prosperous country. Cranbrook has a rare and unique personality that the TWBC seems to feel a threat and wants to destroy - reasons unknown! It's not difficult to work out that by encouraging more people into the town (without penalising them) it would bolster the local economy and provide TWBC with the revenue they so greedily, sorry, eagerly seek. Are we destined to become yet another unhappy unfulfilled clone with no vision like every other town where no-one wants to work, let alone live, and all because they're pricing businesses out with their ludicrous penny pinching? Visitors come to Cranbrook as it thrives on being unique, and what is so very wrong with this? It's time to make a stand against these far too powerful petty bureaucrats, and force them to see the bigger picture. Besides aren't we supposed to be curbing our carbon footprint? How does this scheme fit with the TWBC's green policies? Those of us who live and work close by would have no alternative but to travel further by car to work as businesses close when our town dies. That's assuming we find work - what if we don't? The costs for TWBC will go on - the ramifications are huge - and all because they introduced parking fees! Public transport is not an option either - for months I tried. There isn't even a bus that conveniently arrives in TW for the start of the working day. Let things 'be' TWBC. Just listen to us - one size doesn't fit all and you don't know best.
59: TWBC knows only too well the effects of its parking charges on independent traders, look how many have closed in Tunbridge Wells it self due to the increases in both business rates and parking fees and the volume of passing trade there is far greater than in Cranbrook.
60: Watch out for residential parking, double yellow lines ON THE ESTATES in Cranbrook this is the beginning of life in the 21st century for us. The silence is as usual deafening by our local ELECTED TWBC/KCC SO CALLED COUNCILLORS but why should they bother it won’t affect them where they live.
61: We are all encouraged to buy local produce to help the environment, reduce the carbon footprint of its delivery and in the bargain support local producers and businesses. When people consider their shopping destination, the convenience of local shopping often outweighs the journey to larger towns with greater choice, even if local shops are slightly more expensive. Introducing a parking charge will increase the cost of local shopping and tip the balance in favour of towns such as Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells. We are all encouraged to leave the car at home and walk into town, however, that is not always possible when carrying the week's shopping bags. Parking charges will increase the shopping bill and encourage people to make the longer journey to distant towns. As we all know, this won't be by the infrequent bus service which serves this part of the county - people will jump into their car. This proposal will increase our individual carbon output and threaten local businesses in an already very difficult financial climate - how very green and innovative.
62: We in Cranbrook have a fantastic system for parking - it works, doesn't get abused so why on earth do they want to change it and possibly then damage much needed trade in our little town? I live at the top of the High Street and I know that if charges came in the residents would never be able to park outside their own homes as people would use the free space. This is just another money making scheme without any thought for the residents and businesses. Ridiculous.
63: What a wonderful idea by TWBC to introduce car parking charges in an economic downturn. Obviously they wish to drive out all the independent shops from Cranbrook by restricting the amount of trade available to them. This would reduce the income from rates which added to little income from car parking would justify the decision not to provide a community centre for Cranbrook. TWBC would be able to show that a dying Cranbrook would not qualify for any major expenditure from the council, QED!
64: What is sad about all of this, is the lack of consultation with business, Parish Council and residents and appreciation of the consequences on a community and local economy. The impact will be devastating
65: What they do keep under wraps as much as possible if the amount of revenue parking fees and fines adds to their income, rumoured to equal around of 40% of their income from rates. The Courier did an article on this a few years ago when TWBC introduced parking charges to Southborough and it killed off the traders there. It also interviewed ex employees of the council who confirmed that the wardens...god bless them! do have target quotas for issuing fines, as the revenue is counted on.
66: With the highlights of recent years where councils were exposed to the miss use of public funds by depositing in risky foreign investments surely the shortfall that they are now looking to make up caused by reckless discussions should start with them. The salary, expenses and bonus schemes of those that make the decision that result in shortfalls should be reviewed first and not to knee jerk reaction to introduce charges across the board as in the long term business close they will lose further revenue from business rates, parking fees and potentially residential rates if people start to move away looking for a more self sufficient community environment or easier daily life.