Long stay car parking charges at Potton playing fields site put on hold

The town council had been considering introducing new charges in order to free up space for customers of the nearby shops and surgery, as reported earlier this week.

But it has now announced that no changes to charges will take place for the immediate future.

And it issued a reminder to people that it would not tolerate harassment, violence, physical aggression or verbal abuse towards our staff and volunteers following what it described as ‘an incident’ on May 7, which prompted it to contact Bedfordshire Police.

At a meeting on May 5, the town council agreed that car parking charges were needed as a way of freeing up space at the Henry Smith Playing Fields car park, also known as Brook End car park.

According to Central Beds Council leader and Potton resident Adam Zerny, this was in response to regular complaints about the lack of parking and the fact that many cars parked in the car park never moved.

The changes were expected to take place over the next few months. And while parking for up to two hours would have remained free, it proposed charges would be applied for vehicles parked for longer periods.

The town council had also said parking permits for nearby residents and people working in Potton businesses are to be considered, and added that it would also be prepared to consider new land for parking if any was available.

The proposed changes were welcomed by some residents who said the changes would deter motorists who abused free parking.

But others voiced concerns over the use of parking payment apps, with some calling for a full consultation.

And some business owners were concerned over the impact on staff, with fears also raised that people would park in residential roads to avoid charges.

The council had stated it welcomed feedback from residents following this week’s announcement.

In an updated statement, it said: ” As a town council we want to be supportive to our residents, local businesses and visitors to the town. The town council is trying to find a solution to the dissatisfaction of car parking as raised in the benchmarking surveys. The town council would welcome any sensible suggestions on how car parking in Brook End Car Park which is managed and maintained by the town council and also in the rest of town centre – which is not managed or maintained by the town council – could be improved. Please send your sensible suggestions on how car parking in Brook End Car Park and the rest of town centre could be improved to the Town Clerk [email protected]

Cllr Adam Zerny said: “It is clear that the council welcomes any suggestions from residents. The town council encourages anyone with an interest to attend the next meeting on June 23 at the Community Centre on Brook End at 7.30pm where the proposals will be discussed again. “Your town councillors are not paid for their role on the town council, and while not everyone might agree with what was proposed, all credit to them for trying to find a solution to a long term parking problem in the town centre.”

A full update is available on the Potton Town Council website; alternatively residents can contact the town council via social media