Scrapping charges would alleviate ‘horrendous’ problems with parking, says mayor

This article was published on March 14, 2015 and information contained within may now be out of date.

Urgent action needs to be taken to deal with ‘horrendous’ parking problems in Spilsby according to the town’s mayor.

Councillor Peter Grant is blaming the problem, in part, on the introduction of charging at the town’s Boston Road car park.

East Lindsey District Council introduced charges at the car park and two other previously free car parks in Alford two years ago.

Since then, some people in the town have been resorting to parking illegally rather than pay the £3 all-day charge according to Councillor Grant.

The issue was debated at the latest Alford and Spilsby Area Committee meeting, and Councillor Grant said councillors from both towns were calling for the re-introduction of free all-day parking at one or more of the car parks.

Speaking after the meeting Councillor Grant said: “Parking is particularly horrendous on Halton Road, Ashby Road, from Market Street to the Market Place and Boston Road.

“It is chaos, particularly on Monday when it is  market day. Drivers park on yellow lines and near pedestrian crossings. Lorries can struggle to get down the streets and it could cause a problem for emergency vehicles.

“There are not enough enforcement officers so people think it is worth taking the risk.

“If there was free all-day parking again it would alleviate a lot of the problem.”

A spokesman for East Lindsey District Council said: “Changes to car parking charges across the district were introduced in April 2013 when there were changes to car parking tariffs at paid-for car parks.

“In May 2013 the council introduced a 6pm cut off for parking charges (previously 10pm) and also introduced charges at previously free car parks, including Miller’s Way and South Street, Alford, and Boston Road, Spilsby. Each of these car parks still offers motorists two hours’ free parking.”