LIB-LAB VOTE GIVES GREEN LIGHT TO RESIDENTS'




PARKING SCHEME!

Controversial plans to push ahead with two Residents' Parking pilots are back on-track after a Conservative challenge was defeated by Labour and Lib Dem councillors yesterday.

Last November, Bristol City Council's Labour Cabinet gave the go-ahead for pay-to-park pilots in Kingsdown and the Brandon Hill part of Clifton, despite widespread opposition and criticism of its public consultation process.

But the hotly-disputed decision was almost immediately halted by Conservative leader Cllr Richard Eddy and Tory Transport spokesman Cllr Peter Abraham, who “called-in” the move - effectively putting it on-hold until the plans can be re-examined.

Last night, a cross-party panel of five backbench councillors met at a packed meeting in the Council House to consider the “call-in”.

But a Tory bid to bring the matter to Full Council for debate was thrown out when Lib Dem and Labour councillors united and determined to take no further action.

Councillor Richard Eddy (Con, Bishopsworth) said: “The consultation over the Residents' Parking Scheme was fundamentally flawed from the outset and there is no democratic mandate to impose these pilots - either in the areas proposed or elsewhere.

“Local residents and businesses feel cheated by the botched consultation and the fact that Labour seems determined to carry on regardless.

“However, it was the muddled and confused position of the Liberal Democrats, who criticised the consultation but have failed to live up to their promises, which will disappoint the thousands of people opposed to
the Residents' Parking Schemes.

“Local residents are genuinely split over the proposals and Conservatives believe it is totally wrong to rush ahead with these pilots where there is no clear consensus for so doing.”

Back to Local News Index 6 January 2009