On Monday the Government announced a £40million boost for jobs in East
Kent. The award from the Regional Growth Fund will benefit the four
East Kent districts, including our own Shepway, and is designed to
support businesses, encourage investment and create jobs. I am
delighted that the lobbying for this from the local councils and MPs
has paid off. This Government money will be used to unlock further
private investment and is a timely support for our local economy. I
hope that this money can help to improve business infrastructure in
Shepway, like high speed broadband; develop our growing hub of
companies in the digital, engineering and creative industries; and
create more opportunities for skilled work. This investment adds to
the £1million Shepway Council has already pledged to support local
businesses and jobs.
A vital part in any plan to strengthen our local economy has to be the
regeneration of our town centres. Folkestone has received a boost over
the last five years from the investment of tens of millions of pounds
by Roger De Haan into the harbour and old town areas, and the
completion of the Bouverie Square shopping centre. However, shops on
the high streets in the towns along the Shepway coast have faced
difficult times over the last few years and we need to make sure we
are doing everything we can to help them. The current debate about
parking charges in the town centres is very important to this. Parking
services should be designed to attract visitors to the town centres
and support local business. It is for this reason I believe that
on-street parking should continue to be free for those who want to
visit and shop in our town centres.
Free time-limited on street parking in the centre of Folkestone,
Sandgate, Hythe and New Romney – as it is now – encourages people to
use and support local businesses at a time when they are recovering
from the economic downturn. That’s my response to Shepway District
Council’s proposed parking strategy, which sets out plans to introduce
varying levels of charges to free up spaces and encourage greater use
of off-street car parks by lowering the costs of using them. Over the
last week I have discussed my concerns in detail with the Leader, Cllr
Robert Bliss and other members of Shepway council and they have
assured me that they will be give this full and serious consideration
as part of the consultation.
The council does need to address the issue of residents being unable
to park close to their homes and to encourage greater turnover of
vehicles in the town centres, but this should not be at the expense of
our high street shops. Local residents who regularly use Shepway’s car
parks should also take advantage of the parking permit that lets you
park for up to three hours a day every day for only £1 per week. You
can find out more about this and the consultation on the council’s
website www.shepway.gov.uk .