Letter: A solution to the parking problem

WITH regard to the proposals about restricting parking at Barton-on-Sea and environs, it appears that everyone is overlooking an easy solution, and a serious potential income.

Motorhomes are potentially a great source of income in these times, if the “problem” is approached logically. Motorhome users are generally reasonable people who do not want to be a nuisance to others, and will prefer to go where they are wanted, rather than the opposite. There are ample car parks and parking spaces along the coast, so simply make some of the spaces for motorhomes only, and charge accordingly, say £10 a night to stay, with a two or three night limit.

Utilise the parking bays at the back of each car park, those with grass behind for the extra length of a motorhome to overhang. These tend to be the less popular bays for car drivers, as most visitors want to be at the front by the sea for the best views. The motorhomes will then be away from the residential roads where the problems arise.

There are a number of toilet blocks along the seafront too, and it would be relatively easy to install “black waste” points adjacent where toilet cassettes can be emptied. Again this could be chargeable, at say £3 each. There are a number of suitable suppliers of such service points, as are used all over Europe.

The costs of such a service point are easily covered by the charges, and each motorhome space can provide nearly £2,000 a year in income. To say nothing of each space bringing over £7,000 a year in local revenue. As an example, Fleetwood Council in Lancashire generated £26,000 in 12 months from motorhome parking alone.

Can any local authority afford to ignore such an income?

So please let’s look at ways to work with the motorhome users, rather than trying to move the perceived problem on to somewhere else.

Mark Phillips
Brockenhurst

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RE coastal parking charges (A&T 1st Mar).

This proposed implementation of parking charges will have a detrimental effect on so many local people who use the clifftop, for not only dog walking, but also daily exercise as recommended for our health and mental wellbeing.

I understand the council needs to raise funds but why can there not be a one hour free option to accommodate residents of the local area as, given the number of people who use the clifftop daily, I doubt there will be enough space in the limited ‘free parking’ proposed.

The consultation finishes on 15th March, please voice your opinion by contacting HCC on public.notices@hants.gov.uk. You will need to quote the reference A2039/MJB.

Chris O’Regan
New Milton