Arundel parking plan is driven out of town

Following the overwhelming results of a public consultation on the proposals for on-street parking, which saw around 75 per cent of people oppose the changes, county council officers have recommended that the plans be scrapped.

It is a move that has delighted members of the leading campaign group battling against the scheme – Residents Against Parking Permits (RAPP).

During its fight, RAPP had urged the county council to reject the findings of consultancy group, Project Centre, arguing that if the initiative was implemented it would kill the town’s thriving economy, as well as tearing the community in two.

Through the campaigner’s determined efforts, the county council was forced to extend its original deadline of October 26, to November 2, giving people more time to make their comments on the highly unpopular proposals.

Co-ordinator of RAPP, David Wood, said that the officers’ decision to recommend scrapping the plans was a “breath of fresh air”.

Mr Wood, of The Causeway, said: “We are delighted with the result. The residents’ parking scheme was a complete shambles on every level.

“The figures were bad and the consultation period was inadequate, with many people not having enough time to respond.

“Some didn’t even get a say. The scheme was ludicrous and was totally unsuitable for Arundel.

“So we are very glad that the powers-that-be have listened.”

‘Extremely emotive’

The final decision as to whether or not the scheme will be axed lies in the hands of members of the Joint Downland Area Committee, who will be debating the issue at their next meeting at the Swan Hotel, Chichester Road, Arundel, on Monday, January 21.

However, the committee’s chairman, Nigel Peters, county councillor for Arundel and Wick, hinted to the Gazette that he was more than willing to support the officers’ recommendations.

Mr Peters said: “This is an extremely emotive subject in the town.

“Traders and residents issued their concerns that the scheme could impact on local business in the town. That’s the last thing we wanted.

“Thankfully we received an overwhelming number of responses to the consultation. So all we can do is listen to those views.

“I will be more than happy to endorse the recommendations made by the officers. But obviously this is something that needs to go before the other county councillors on the committee.

“However, in my view, to refuse the will of the people would be a serious mistake.”