Parking in Rye is always a hot topic but unless we make our voices heard, our one hour free parking may soon become a distant memory. Why? Because East Sussex County Council is proposing that it should be scrapped.
The proposal will be discussed next Wednesday, January 15 at 10:30am at the planning meeting in the council offices on Lewes High Street. This could be the last opportunity to try and retain an element of free parking within the town. Without it, visitors may be tempted to travel to Tenterden to do their shopping where the parking system incorporates a one hour free system on the High Street. If it works in Tenterden why cant it work in Rye?
All of us agree that parking needs to be rationalised locally, it's getting out of control and before too long there may be serious implications if illegal and inconsiderate parking is allowed to continue as it is. Its an accident waiting to happen in every sense, our luck must run out at some point.
Many traders in town are already feeling the effects of the current difficult economic climate, if we lose the ability to tempt shoppers, currently with the opportunity to park free for an hour, the impact will be felt by our local shops and businesses. Of course, visitors will always come to Rye, with so many fascinating attractions available the tourist trade will continue infinitum but visitors will become frustrated if the opportunity to park for free is lost.
To add gravitas to the occasion and to get our voices heard it would be such a boost if local residents and business people could find time in their busy schedules to support their town and join in at the public gallery. This is an important meeting, as the saying goes, you only get one chance to make a first impression. This affects residents and businesses alike and it is vital that Rye is represented and to make a stand. Get involved and if anyone needs a lift to Lewes, contact Jane Brook by email at jane@spacecoworking.co.uk and she will coordinate transport.
