| Author |
Message |
Michael
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Friday, 05 December, 2003 - 06:29 pm: | |
I noticed this evening that Perry Vale is car park is now pay and display.
Of course nobody will pay to use it and a very useful free place to park will be lost to Forest Hill.
People like me, who park there for the day to catch the train, will now be forced to park in other local streets which I am sure will annoy local residents and businesses. Will this lead to us all paying for resident's parking permit to park in front of our homes? Lewisham is forcing a parking crisis on Forest Hill for no good reason.
What can we do to get the car park made free again? |
Ernie
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Saturday, 06 December, 2003 - 03:33 pm: | |
Further to Michaels comments on Perry Vale car park. I would have thought that if he is local then he could walk to the station and why should commuters get FREE parking when us the shopper have to pay. |
BT
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Sunday, 07 December, 2003 - 09:43 am: | |
I agree Ernie. I would think that most residents of SE23 are within reasonable walking distance of either Forest Hill or Honor Oak Stations. The Perry Vale car park used to be a Pay and Display until a few years ago and it was always possible to find a space, but when it became free it was full from very early in the morning.I am sure the parking commuters must contact each other. The ticket machine in the car park behind Sainsbury's was out of order one day last week and the car park was much fuller than normal on that day.As for street parking,I think that about 70% of the cars parked around Forest Hill and Honor Oak are commuter parking.Its amazing how clear the streets are when I drive to work at 5.15am, and no I don't park on the streets while at work, my company provides parking for its staff. |
Brian
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Monday, 08 December, 2003 - 08:16 am: | |
I to would be interested to know where Michael lives. If indeed he does live in SE 23 unless he is handicapped why indeed is he driving. I have to use a car for work and never use it for local journies of under 2 miles.I agree payment is not a good step but why cannot the council simply open carpark at say 9.45am , or only charge before that time.I am concerned that the council will use this as argument to introduce payment for all on the road , locals or otherwise. |
Michael
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Monday, 15 December, 2003 - 03:48 pm: | |
It is nice to know people are so interested in my personal circumstances, with the assumption that I have less right to use local facilities than they do (I do pay local taxes).
Although I could walk to the station, or take the bus, I do prefer to drive when the weather is extremely wet, when I will be working very late, when I have to go shopping when I get home or visit other people in the area. Sometimes I even park there because I am lazy (but I do try not to be).
Given the number of people who did make use of the car park, there are clearly others who feel they have a good enough reason to use their car.
What has certainly happened in the last couple of weeks is a deserted car park and more people parking in other local roads, including on corners, making it more dangerous for pedestrians to cross roads. Surely a free car park is better than free parking all along roads. |
Paul
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Thursday, 18 December, 2003 - 08:20 pm: | |
Sorry, but I agree with Michael. I am really annoyed that they have put a charge onto the car park. We pay enough taxes. This is just another tax. As you can see people are not paying for the car park. What a complete waste of space - an empty car park. We as residents were not consulted on this. I am very annoyed at this move. |
Brian
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Friday, 19 December, 2003 - 07:53 am: | |
On reflection I agree I was a little hard with by first comment.Michael and anyone else who live locally have the right to drive to the station if they wish. I agree we ought to have been consulted. If , as Paul says , it is empty , then presumably a warden is still wasting our money going to check every hour or so.
I think this could be part of a wider agenda in making all Forest Hill a Controlled Parking Zone , although as this has been strongly denied by our MP I cannot see how this can be the case.
Although I personally have no reason to use this Car Park I do suggest that if it is empty most of the time it ought to be made free again. |
BT
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Saturday, 20 December, 2003 - 09:14 am: | |
It certainly was NOT empty on Friday 19th Dec |
Emma
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Sunday, 04 January, 2004 - 03:40 pm: | |
Good, there are too many cars on the road. anything done to dissuade car usage should be encouraged, while public transport should improve. It's been done in Curitiba (Brazil) in Copenhagen and in Oregon; let's hope it works here too. |
Brian
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Monday, 05 January, 2004 - 01:31 pm: | |
Emma
You sound very much against private vehicles. I agree it is better to walk distances , say up to 2 miles , but otherwise cars no problem. Are you seriously suggesting that people should be thrown around on buses.Also some of our fellow members of the public do not help.
You mention Oregon , a very large state. In 99% of the state I would suspect car ownership not discouraged. Perhaps Portland? |
emma
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Monday, 05 January, 2004 - 03:10 pm: | |
Yes, Portland is the town. They are all living examples that with good public transport, cars are not necessary. And yes, i am against car usage, because its environmental cost is simply greater than the benefits. in some cases, however, there is no bublic transport so one has no choice. This is not the case in LOndon, however, especially along routes radiating into and out of the centre. |
Martin
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Monday, 19 January, 2004 - 05:53 pm: | |
Congratulations to Lewisham Council for making the car park at Perry Vale a pay and display.
However think they may have lost the plot a little as in my opinion the object is to encourage more people to visit Forest Hill to help the local economy which judging by the amount of empty shops needs some help.
I would suggest that the first three hours should be free which gives ample time to do shopping have something to eat or visit the hairdressers a half an hour is far to short.
After that time a minimum of one pound per hour or part thereof.
In the past you could not park after eight in the morning because of commutors taking advantage of our excellenat train service but contributing nothing to the local economy in any substantial way
Also the car park must be advertised so that people will encouraged to visit.
At present people with children or elderley with cars go to the Sava Centre where there is free parking.
We must win these people back |
Ann
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Tuesday, 20 January, 2004 - 12:55 pm: | |
In reply to Martin's suggestion, we agree totally.
We are a local business and feel that this is a relevant point.
Maybe a series of posters advertising "free parking for three hours" if his idea was taken up. |
Martin
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Tuesday, 20 January, 2004 - 01:34 pm: | |
Thank you Ann for your support.
I agree with you that we should have a series of posters to encourage people to visit us.
Perhaps " First Three Hours Free In Forest Hill " on a parking sign. Fairly large so that people will see it, not a miniature one fixed to a Lamp post.
What other ideas do people have to bring in more visitors to our town. |
Ann
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Tuesday, 20 January, 2004 - 03:00 pm: | |
Nice slogan but could'nt say it too quickly if I'd had a few drinks!! Ha.
We need to try and drum up more support for this action, contacting local councillors etc. |
Brian
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Wednesday, 21 January, 2004 - 11:13 am: | |
I also agree with Martin. Car park should be closed until , sat 9.30 am , them opened and free.Or I agree 3 hours free. The benifit of the former is apart form a person to open up the car park at 9.15 am no staff required , with 3 hours free wardens would be needed.
We want to encourage shoppers and local people but to be honest people travelling for miles to use our station should use their local station |
John
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Wednesday, 21 January, 2004 - 06:42 pm: | |
3 HOURS PARKING FREE? - Not quite, it's 50p !
I think you're essentially on the right lines, with a bit of tweaking though, as there'd definitely have to be some record on the car of the starting time - maybe with a ticket costing 50p for instance (?). I think that any decent scheme would have to be monitored/policed and that costs money, so a charge of 50p for 2 or 3 hours should cover it whilst offering good value for money for the shopper. There should also be a maximum time limit so that people don't just hog-up the parking spaces all day. |
Amanda
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Wednesday, 21 January, 2004 - 08:58 pm: | |
Brian,
Why should the car park be closed until 9.30?
What about customers collecting items from Royal Mail? There is not always space in our little area outside the office. Also us posties have to park somewhere until we go out on our walks. Wardens are needed regardless of 1/2 hour or 3 hours free parking. |
BT
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Thursday, 22 January, 2004 - 09:06 am: | |
The free period on the Perry Vale and Pearcefield Avenue is already monitored. YOU GET A TICKET FROM THE MACHINE! Just enter your reg. no. as if you were buying a ticket but don't put any money in.It will issue a ticket for 30 mins or whatever the free period is.If you don't get a ticket you could well get a penalty ticket and your "Free" period could be very expensive! |
Brian
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Thursday, 22 January, 2004 - 12:54 pm: | |
Amanda
Sorry I had not thought of the Post Office. Of course customers and employees should be able to park.It is not ususual near stations to have parking places that start after peak time therefore avoid commuters who should be walking to the station. This is a very difficult subject and not easy to please everyone. |
Michael
Joined 04-03-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, 03 October, 2006 - 10:32 am: | |
This explains why we have so many commuters parking in roads in the centre of FH.
As I said in 2003:
"Will this lead to us all paying for resident's parking permit to park in front of our homes? Lewisham is forcing a parking crisis on Forest Hill for no good reason."
Now there are CPZ consultations on local roads and this will spread out further and further until we are all paying for the Privilege of parking in front of our homes.
Free the Perry Vale Car Park! |
Brian
Joined 18-04-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, 03 October, 2006 - 05:14 pm: | |
Michael
You have summed up correctly. If I did not know our council better could believe a conspiracy. |
Theotherbrian
Joined 28-03-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, 03 October, 2006 - 06:17 pm: | |
Joined up thinking again from our political classes. Force CPZ on the area and watch front gardens disappear under concrete and block-paving, so increasing runoff, contributing to more serious and frequent flooding, less infiltration so less groundwater so more serious droughts and finally a deterioration in the urban environment as green is replaced with grey and red splotched with oil. Brilliant! |
Sherwood
Joined 30-03-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, 04 October, 2006 - 12:29 pm: | |
Is the Girton Road car park in Sydenham still free?
If so, can one of our councillors tell us why shoppers in Sydenham do not have to pay when they park, but shoppers in Forest Hill do?
Making this car park free should reduce the need for CPZs in Forest Hill. |
Haylands
Joined 29-09-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, 04 October, 2006 - 02:30 pm: | |
If the carpark requires funding then perhaps it could come in a more proactive form, ie carboot sales, art fayre, farmers market, antiques market, etc... that way we would encourage more vistors into the area. Perhaps they'd have lunch/beer in one of the local bars/restaurants. Perhaps it could fund the clean up of the carpark area too? |
Haylands
Joined 29-09-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, 04 October, 2006 - 02:35 pm: | |
If the carpark requires funding then perhaps it could come in a more proactive form, ie carboot sale, art fayre, farmers market, antiques fayre etc... this would hopefully generate visitors into the area. Perhaps they might stop for a pint, glass of wine or lunch in FH. Which generate furhter properity and pull in investment. |
Haylands
Joined 29-09-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, 04 October, 2006 - 02:37 pm: | |
Sorry for double message, it's not that i feel so strongly, it's more that I'm getting to grips with this posting lark! |
Pattrembath
Joined 04-05-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, 04 October, 2006 - 03:42 pm: | |
Girton Road car park in Sydenham is free. The council says it costs £16k per annum to subsidise and this bill is picked up Lidls, at present. The threat of charging for this facility could return.
Do not forget there is an 1110 free car park space at Bell Green, which will rise to 1700+ if the larger site with a Homebase gets the go ahead. This would be bad news for both Sydenham and Forest Hill town centres |
Sherwood
Joined 30-03-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, 04 October, 2006 - 03:53 pm: | |
I think this might be a matter for the Forest Hill Town Manager to pursue.
A free car park should draw more customers to Forest Hill. |
