Effects of Conservatives' plan to end Free Parking

The Conservatives' plan to end free parking in Epsom & Ewell's shopping parades, will also see the end of free short-term parking in Alexandra Road and Kiln Lane.

On-street pay-and-display parking bays are planned both outside and opposite the Old Cottage Hospital, which are nowhere near any shops and are used largely by patients. In Kiln Lane, visitors to the car sales and servicing businesses will be also be expected to pay.

Cllr Alison Kelly (Lib Dem, Town ward) said "The proposals for Alexandra Road and Kiln Lane are quite clearly a cynical attempt by the Conservatives to raise money by any means".

Cllr Kelly is also horrified that shopping parades near to Epsom town centre will be affected. The Upper High Street and Waterloo Road are on the Conservatives' list of roads where charging is planned. Cllr Kelly said "Free parking at local shopping parades helps stimulate the local economy and provides a convenient way for local residents to make visits to local shops. We fought hard for free short-term parking in both Upper High Street and Waterloo Road - and we will be lobbying just as hard against these charges."

In Ewell, free parking at shopping parades at Ruxley Lane, Bradford Drive and Stoneleigh Broadway will also end under the Conservatives' proposals. Cllr Jonathan Lees (Lib Dem, Stamford) who lives in Ewell added "Ewell village absolutely depends upon the ability of the casual shopping to park. Paying just to collect a newspaper will sound the death knell to villages like Ewell".

More details: Full details are all avaiable on Surrey County Council's website, but are extremely voluminous. A summary of the Conservatives' proposed parking charges for Epsom & Ewell is available here.