We are writing to Councillor Birch of Hastings Council to seek information about whether previous assurances will be honoured, such as no change being made for the time being to the structure or pricing of the parking in St Leonards.

Look what happened in Lewes.

The proposed change in who is in charge of parking, Hastings or Sussex?
Christmas celebrations and attractions.

Parking

Under an established agreement Parking has been under local control for some years. The East Sussex council are considering taking it over, which we feel is a bad idea. Local conditions are known locally, and we need a local response.

There is more info in this document, (downloadable).

It might be that the alternative of using Artist designed bollards will go ahead.

More info as soon as it happens….

The dispersal zone is back in operation for the Summer under which street drinkers can be moved on. This is happening but of course it can lead to displacement to other parts of the area. We did argue (unfortunately unsuccessfully) that St Leonards Gardens and Norman Road should be included in the dispersal area. We have had individual meetings with senior police officers and with Action for Change – the voluntary sector body that works with those with serious alcohol problems.

Parking

The council’s Traffic Management Committee has turned down a petition of
31 names calling for parking restrictions in Kings Road to be raised from a one hour limit to two hours. Although this was agreed recently for Norman Road it was not clear that for Kings Road that this was the view of the majority of traders or the view of the St Leonards Business Association.

We have asked that signage at the station end of Kings Road indicating the way to Crystal Square car park be reviewed to see if it is adequate.
Since the reduction in prices in Crystal Square there has been a 31% increase in useage.

Congregational Church

This church at the bottom of Pevensey Road has been sold. It clearly needs some substantial refurbishment work and if the sale brings that on then it is to be welcomed. A Nigel Lewis of the has purchased the building and says he will be leasing most of the building to the Ark of Hope religious group who have previously been worshipping in Central St Leonards. They have been using the Congregational Church over the last couple of weeks.

Silchester Road

The refurbishment of Silchester Road included the planting of two trees at the Kenilworth Road end. One of them has been replaced twice as the trees have died. It appears that leaking water mains / sewer in the vicinity are causing the pit in which the tree is planted is filling with water. It has been agreed that this needs to be resolved before another tree is planted.

Highways

St Margaret’s Road is to be closed for three weeks from Falaise Road to Magdalen Road for repaving of the pavement on the south side, working on the kerbing and constructing a new manhole.

Grand Parade will be resurfaced from London Road to Warrior Square starting on 14th September.

Marina will be resurfaced from Sussex Road to Burton Road starting on 17th September.

County Council

The County Council wants to take full control of on-street parking in Hastings which we both oppose. Up to now it has been devolved to Hastings Borough Council with any surplus shared between the two councils but has to be spent in Hastings on highways or transport. Full control being taken by the County Council will mean all decisions about parking costs and times and the consideration of appeals against parking tickets will be taken by people outside of Hastings. It will also mean parking attendants in Hastings would be employed by National Car Parks.
At its meeting on 5th July the County Council cabinet agreed to do more work to on the financial impacts of this and the impacts on Hastings people and then report back later to take a final decision.

St Leonard’s festival

Don’t forget the St Leonards festival on 17th September.  Stewards are required – phone 01424 438291 if you can help.

“Please read the attachment which explains that East Sussex County Council is preparing to take control of on-street parking away from Hastings at its cabinet meeting next Monday.

If you feel concerned please write to Cllr Peter Jones, leader ESCC, County Hall, Lewes, BN7 1SF. cllr.peter.jones@eastsussex.gov.uk and also to Rupert Clubb, Director Transport & Environment, County Hall, Lewes, BN7 1SF. rupert.clubb@eastsussex.gov.uk.”

If parking had been controlled by the County Council it is unlikely they would have listened to the SBA about any of the parking issues we have raised, and it’s unlikely that any changes, (for the better) would have been made. It’s up to us: do we exert a bit of pressure and keep things local, or just let it go by?

Please email the above, this week, saying that Hastings parking should stay in the local control of HBC .

S.B.A.

St Leonards on Sea Business Association

Chairman- Bill Orton
Ortons The Butcher
11 Norman Road
St Leonards-on-Sea
East Sussex TN37 6NH
01424 420322
www.sba-online.co.uk

18th November 2009

Rasoul Shahilow

Head of Parking & Highways Aquila House

Breeds Place

Hastings

East Sussex TN34 3UY

Dear Rasoul

Parking in St Leonards – West Side Norman Road Si Crystal Square

On behalf of the St Leonards Business Association I have been asked to request that the one hour parking restriction on the west side of Norman Road be reviewed and adjusted to a two hour no return limit

Generally the one hour restriction on the eastern side of London Road including the east side of Norman Road is working well for businesses and customers alike. Silchester Road at two hours is also satisfactory, however the majority of the customers of the businesses in the west side of Norman Road need time to browse and find the one hour insufficient. The antique shops located here are gaining a wide reputation for the quality of their offer and attract customers to St Leonards from far afield. There have been numerous cases of these customers receiving fixed penalty notices which is a deterrent to them but these are exactly the type of customer the regeneration programme was designed to attract.

I believe that during various discussions with you on parking issues we have reached a consensus that parking is a vital element in creating a climate where business can flourish and therefore I hope you will be favourably responsive to this request.

At a meeting of the Business Association last evening concern was also expressed that Crystal Square car park is underutilised; this we believe is in part due to poor signage directing motorists to this amenity and there also seems to be confusion about the route to leave the car park. There have been cases of drivers trying to use South Street to access London Road. When the proposals to close the junction of Cross Street and London Road we did request that this needed more thought, but unfortunately the closure has happened without any further discussion with the Association.

We would welcome the opportunity to discuss the above issues with as a matter of urgency or at least your response to this letter as soon as possible.

Yours sincerely

Bill Orton Chairman

Cc Pranesh Data

Meeting TBA …….

“Can anyone shed some light on the future of Kennedys Gym in South street and the parking issues that are going with it. We have seen no planning applications to remove paking spaces or to enforce NO PARKING.”

Any info?

Parking regulations changed in Norman Road a few months ago, basically limiting the wait to 1 hour, down from 2 hours.

The six month trial period will be ending soon and we would like some idea of how people have felt about this. Has it been good for trade, bad for trade, couldn’t tell? Have surrounding streets become more parked up, have residents found it harder to park: any answers and comments would be very welcome.

Please leave them below. Thanks.

(Or sign one of the petition forms in one of the shops on Norman Road.)