Old Town permit plan given go-ahead

The scheme, which has the support of the majority of residents in the area, will mean that parking permits are required for some streets in the Old Town. Letters have been sent out to households explaining how it will affect them.

“Alongside the introduction of the permit scheme the council is also increasing the amount of limited waiting bays near the High Street so that businesses don’t lose out from customers struggling to park as a result of the changes,” explained a spokesperson.

The scheme will also help to ease school travel concerns for the Letchmore school, where a lot of pupils live too far away and are too young to come by other modes of transport.

We’ve fully considered consultation responses (consultation was mid-Jan to mid-Feb), though this has taken a longer than we had hoped due to our having to move resources to work on other priorities in recent months.

In response to concerns raised during the consultation, we have reduced the cost to residents – though this could only be achieved by shortening the controlled hours.

Members of the public can make representations to the Council about the changes up to 28 August. Following the ending of the initial consultation period we are no longer able to consider comments on other matters, however, or objections to the decision to go ahead as representations.

We will be writing to residents to confirm the exact date of implementation and provide details on how to apply for permits in due course.

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