Parking charge 'will cripple the lower-paid'

A LONG-TERM opponent of paid parking is starting a campaign to overturn the States decision. Mum-of-two Denise Taylor, who collected a petition of more than 1,000 signatures against paid parking two years ago, said the 15p-an-hour charge would cripple lower-paid workers.

She has the support of several deputies, including Sam Maindonald and Bill Bell, she added.

Ms Taylor said the parking initiative would cost workers at least £7 per week, the equivalent of two hours' wages for the lowest-paid.

'How is this going to help our poverty-line families who are generally surviving on only £30 per week to feed their families?'

She added that the best way to finance the transport strategy would be to adopt Deputy Ivan Rihoy's suggestion and increase the price of fuel by 1.2p per litre.

That way, everyone would be affected equally and the cost to individuals would be considerably less.

'I would much rather pay 20p per week in extra petrol costs than up to £30 a month, which is a week's food.'

Ms Taylor added that many in the finance industry - who were the most able to pay - already have private parking.

'Paid parking will affect shop workers, window cleaners, tradesmen and generally the lower paid of the island.

'These people cannot afford to pay £7 per week. And this figure will probably be more, as most of them have to work on Saturdays and Sundays so that they can pay their rent and keep their families fed and clothed.'

Deputy Maindonald said she agreed with Ms Taylor that paid parking would hit those working in shops more than those in offices and that the latter were more likely to be offered parking or have the fees paid by their employer.

'I resent very much that only those working in Town will have to pay when we are trying to fund a strategy for all road users,' she said. 'It should be across the board.'

She added that although she had considerable sympathy for Ms Taylor's cause, it would be an uphill struggle to get the decision overturned, especially in the current financial climate.

Ms Taylor also wanted to know whether deputies would continue to benefit from free parking - a sentiment echoed by Deputy Maindonald.

'I understand that the deputies all have their own private parking spaces and no matter where their meetings are held, they are given free parking - will this change or once again are they just looking after their own pockets and not those of the general public?' said Ms Taylor.

She said several deputies had told her that the scheme would start in Town and eventually become island-wide in all long-stay spaces, including the hospital.

'I think that this is awful and totally against our human rights. Next thing, you will be charging us to park at church.'

Deputy Bell had nothing but admiration for Ms Taylor's efforts of the past few years and was in full support.

'I have a great respect for Ms Taylor and the work that she has done over a long period of time.'

He said that he still believed the majority of the island was against paid parking.

'The States has let down Ms Taylor and all those people who signed the petition.'

Ms Taylor urged people to get behind her campaign and start petitions in their workplaces, football clubs, gyms or anywhere else and to then send them to their own deputies or Deputy Maindonald.

The Environment Department said: 'The board has not yet had a chance to discuss paid parking since last week's States decision.'