Rother to look into pay-on-exit parking

Battle Councillor Kathryn Field said people had accepted that parking charges were here to stay, but felt that the pay-and-display machines currently in use were a bar to many businesses.

She used as an example of people needing to visit businesses where lengthy consultations might be needed, such as at an accountants, only to find they had not concluded their talks before their tickets had expired.

"They need to have freedom to use the town and not have to rush back to their cars.

"They would really like to see a pay-on-exit facility," said Cllr Field.

She explained that she and her colleague, Cllr Kevin Dixon, had recently attended an extraordinary meeting of Battle Chamber of Commerce, which was called to decide what could be done about the empty shops in the High Street.

The question of parking was raised and whilst many present accepted that the charges were probably here to stay, the current charging regime was deemed to be unsatisfactory.

Now Cllr Field has asked Rother District Council to review the situation in Battle.

She also suggested that some free parking should be offered to residents, with the costs being recouped from an increase in the long-stay parking charges.

And she said that many people coming to Battle still struggled to find which car parks offered short or long-stay options.

Council leader Carl Maynard said that Rother District Council recognised the need for the regeneration and sustainability of towns, and while there might be costs involved, he told Cllr Field: "I don't see any problem at all in looking at the parking situation in Battle."

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Field said: "Getting parking charges right is essential for the sustainability of Battle High Street.

"Pay-on-exit would be a good starting point as people, visitors and residents alike, would not feel constrained and rushed by the clock ticking; they would be able to relax and conduct their business at leisure.

"Battle is a fantastic town with excellent shops and services and we have to encourage people to come.

"Although tourism is vital to the town often it is the residents of the surrounding villages who need persuading to drive to Battle rather than to other market towns where the parking is free - even though the distance travelled is further.

"I was delighted at the meeting when the leader of Rother District Council agreed with me that a review of the parking situation in Battle was needed.

"Unfortunately he did not say when this might be happening."