New parking scheme divides residents in Anne of Cleves Road, Dartford

Residents are divided over controversial new parking restrictions with some branding it a money-making scheme while others say it is a welcome relief.

They were introduced in Anne of Cleves Road, Dartford, this week and they have received mixed reactions from those that live there.

Parking in the road, next to the town centre and railway station, was for permit holders only between 9.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday, with a few free bays.

Residents could also pay to have a book of visitor passes.

However, the majority of people who responded to a consultation by Dartford council in 2021 said the free bays were often being used by non-residents and commuters.

They also said they faced issues parking in the mornings, evenings and over the weekend when the restrictions were not in place.

To solve the issues, the local authority suggested bringing in new restrictions which would make the entire road permit-parking only from Monday to Saturday between 8am and 6.30pm and remove the free bays.

Residents can still pay for visitor permits at a cost of £1 a day and can pay £50 a year for a residents’ permit – but can only have one per household.

Council officers said the majority of responses from the consultation were in favour of the proposals and at a cabinet meeting in February members agreed to go forward with it.

But long-term resident Andy Read said the decision was “lunacy” and based on “farcical figures”.

He says the new restrictions do not stop anyone from parking in Anne of Cleves Road overnight which he thinks is the main issue plaguing the street.

Andy added: “The problems are outside of the permitted hours which the council have failed to address. I am paying £50 for a permit which does not allow me the privilege of parking in my own road at night.

“It is going to be a free-for-all. All it is doing is shunting the problem on surrounding roads. All we are asking for is a bit of common sense here.

“This is just pushing the problem elsewhere and forcing residents who live here to get rid of their second cars. It is like a war on cars.

“It seems to me like it is a cash-making scheme. It is another nail in the coffin for me and for Dartford.”

In a letter to ward councillor Drew Swinerd (Con), Andy stated: “It is unacceptable to expect residents to pay £1 per day for friends, family, visitors, tradespeople or carers to attend our homes.

“There are too many cars competing for too few spaces. It really is that simple.

“This is ridiculous. Please let common sense prevail and stop financially penalising households that need a car.”

Another resident who has lived in Anne of Cleves Road for almost 40 years said there was a problem with the daytime restrictions.

She added: “I am not happy about it. People are still going to park here after 6.30pm. It is not going to stop the issue and I am still going to have to park elsewhere if I get back late."

Yet not everyone is against the new scheme. In fact, many residents either did not have an opinion or were in favour of it.

Amy Worley is one of them. She said: “How is it fair that people can park for free if we are paying for permits? It is not. How would you feel about paying for your shopping and other people having it for free?

“I have been a long-term resident with many parking schemes, it seems very reasonable to me.

“Where can you park for £1 for a day? If it means you can get parked we are happy to pay £1.

“We have had cars in front of our house for three weeks before who do not live here. It should have been residents-only years ago.”

The 66-year-old added: “All the residents have had time to vote yes or no and this is the outcome. If they did not want it they should have voted against it.”

Another resident said they were also “in favour" of the scheme but said the council could consider allowing more than one resident permit per household.

Cabinet members agreed in 2021, a response rate of more than 10% was considered to be representative and the proposed scheme would be taken forward if 51% or more of the responses were in favour of the proposal.

In Anne of Cleves Road, 87 homes were consulted and 22 responses were received.