Parking Charges will Kill Trade in Upper High Street
Films and photos of Upper High Street traders - all against the pay and display parking policy which will be brought in by Tory-led Surrey County Council in November this year.
Cllr Alison Kelly and colleagues Lesley Neville and Tony Axelrod were out on Saturday talking to shopkeepers in Upper High Street and distributing posters about the online petition against parking charges. Amy Quaranta of Cafe Metro was in no doubt about she felt ... "Making the disabled pay for parking is awful and now adding charges for stopping here is a disgrace". Msude of the American Pizza House added "We're happy as we are now - with the 30 minutes free parking".
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George from Quality Dry Cleaners said "We need the system we've got so that people can come and go" and was referring to the current arrangements which allow parking free for 30 minutes. Harsil from the Star Cartridge shop said "Thanks to the Lib Dems who are supporting us fighting the council over the proposed parking charges. Ever increasing charges on street and in car parks are making it difficult to keep shops open". Derek from Sandford & Fletcher butchers (Epsom's only remaining town centre independent butcher) added "It's an excuse to get more money from motorists. Shops keep coming and going as parking charges reduce the footfall. It's difficult to stay in business."
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Mick Clark from Epsom Dolls House was even more succinct "This will kill trade on Upper High Street. It will stop people coming shopping" he said.
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The petition is available online at http://petitions.surreycc.gov.uk/parkingcharges/ - or contact Cllr Alison Kelly at akelly@epsom-ewell.gov.uk, Lesley Neville at leslie.neville@epsom-ewell-libdems.org.uk or Tony Axelrod at tony.axelrod@epsom-ewell-libdems.org.uk.