29/11/2024
INDEPENDENT SHOPS IN WESTBURY ARE IN DANGER! PLEASE READ ON AND HELP IF YOU CAN!
I was going to show you all the lovely new stock today, but I'm spitting feathers instead.
Many of you use the Westbury Hill car park, and the rejected proposal to impose hourly parking charges is BACK ON THE AGENDA at Bristol City Council.
If this proposal is passed, it will I'm afraid be the last straw for us independents in the village, after the loss of 3 banks, countless roadworks, unreliable bus services affecting footfall and the worst trading conditions in many years.
This is not political at this stage. This is survival.
The proposal will affect everyone in many ways:
- the first hour is "free"
BUT this could be revoked at any point
- this is a CASHLESS system, meaning EVEN FOR THE FIRST FREE HOUR you will need to register your car and use the app, a mobile phone or another form of digital payment.
This is extraordinarily impractical and discriminatory for people who find the use of technology challenging (frankly I'm one of them)
- this car park serves a doctor's surgery, the only pharmacy, a church and village hall and accommodates vulnerable and disabled users
- the proposed charges will be 7 DAYS A WEEK from 8am to 6pm with a NO RETURN policy
This "debate" is being brought in with little notice, at the busiest time of the year, no doubt to avoid the flood of objections received in September.
WE NEED TO MAKE SOME NOISE NOW!
So please, if you can spare a few minutes and advocate for yourself, your technophobe or vulnerable relatives and your local businesses, send your questions and statements (up to 1000 words) to:
[email protected] with "Public Forum - Transport and Connectivity Committee" in the subject line.
Questions need to be in by 5pm TODAY (Friday)
Statements need to be in by noon on Tuesday 3rd December.
We are all aware the Council needs to save money, but it can't be (yet again!) at the expense of our local communities!
Please comment if the proposal will affect you in ways I haven't thought of yet, knowledge is power!
I'll have a chamomile and tell you all about the beautiful new things very soon!
Loads of love