‘Threat to democracy’: Hampshire county councillor Mel Kendal’s warning over proposed on-street parking charges for Marine Drive East and Marine Drive West at Barton

A SENIOR county councillor warned of a “threat to democracy” over proposed Barton clifftop parking restrictions and pothole repair prioritisation.

Addressing a recent full town council meeting, New Milton representative Cllr Mel Kendal recalled being surprised by HCC officers’ plans to charge for on-street parking on Marine Drive East and Marine Drive West.

As reported in the A&T, residents had regularly complained of mobile homes and campervans lining the roads during the summer, particularly those that remained overnight.

Before hearing the plans late last year, Cllr Kendal explained he had understood only signs would be erected forbidding overnight parking.

“I immediately put through emails, saying, ‘Don’t do this, I object’,” he said.

But he was astonished to receive a response from the officers, stating they still intended to propose the parking meters.

“I was quite surprised,” he continued. “In over 20 years I’ve been a county councillor, I’ve never had a reply like that.”

Believing this indicated a “shift in local government”, Cllr Kendal expressed concern that HCC officers seemed to now overrule councillors in decision-making.

Under the plans, on-street parking would be chargeable between 10am and 6pm, with a ban on overnight parking by campervans and mobile homes enforced between 8pm and 8am.

A number of spaces close to the Barton Court Avenue junction and outside seafront shops would remain free for a maximum one-hour stay between 9am and 7pm.

“This [the parking meters] is quite clearly a money-making scheme, with a private firm set to be employed to enforce some of the restrictions,” he commented.

The plan has proved highly controversial, with coastal businesses having expressed fears the charges will drive customers away.

Traders from the Cliff House Restaurant, Beachcomber café, Oslar Coffee, Pebble Beach, The Watersplash Gym, Barton News and Bathroom Design Centre have spoken out.

Hayley Darbishire, of The Cliff House, previously told the A&T: “Putting such restrictions on car parking is just creating a barrier for people to visit our businesses, and when all we have seen is rising costs over the last 18 months we simply cannot afford to reduce the number of visits too.”

After a public consultation ended on 15th March, the decision is expected to be made by cabinet member Cllr Nick Adams-King at his decision day on a date yet to be set.

Cllr Kendal promised to pass on the date once it was known, acknowledging many wished to attend.

On the potholes issue, the county councillor highlighted a significant problem with them on the approach road to Oakhaven Hospice.

As chair of the hospice’s board of trustees, he contacted HCC officers after the senior consultant and chief executive asked that the defects be resurfaced.

“I was told there would be a queue,” Cllr Kendal said.

“I asked, ‘Does a hospice rank as a priority like a hospital?’ The reply was, ‘No, it doesn’t’.”

He went on: “We’ve got to be careful as members that officers don’t control the decision-making. That is a threat to democracy.

“Members are elected by the public, and members should tell the public what’s going on.”