What we need is a local transport strategy. (Reigate Liberal Democrats)

Reigate Liberal Democrats <info@reigatelibdems.org.uk>

What we need is a local transport strategy.

October 30, 2003 12:00 PM

Published in the Surrey Mirror, Thursday 30th October 2003

Ongoing changes to local transport facilities will cause increasingly adverse disruptions to your routine.

You may have seen in the papers that Surrey County Council are forcing cut backs on local buses. They did this without any consultation with local Councils, but that is not all. Parking is being decriminalised next year. Local councils will be responsible for issuing parking fines and the money raised will go straight into local coffers. There will be even greater incentive to fine anyone who parks illegally. This is compounded by changes in planning law from central government that is reducing the maximum number of parking spaces allocated on any new building development. Land around railway stations that could have been used as Car Parks for rail travellers is being sold off for housing. If you'd like to go by train, you're less likely to be able to park at the station and where you can, it's very expensive.

So where does that leave you. Our Labour Government is reducing parking spaces at home and at work, but has no Integrated Transport Strategy to compensate. Tory controlled Surrey County Council will be enforcing parking restrictions more rigidly next year and is reducing bus services. On top of all that, one look at our High Streets will show you that there are not enough car park spaces, even before Conservative Reigate and Banstead Council have sold off block bookings to local businesses.

What we need is more small community Hopper buses and short term car park spaces for local trips and more cheap parking at railway stations to encourage commuters to use rail where possible.

Is that so difficult?

Cllr. Steve Kulka

Liberal Democrat Councillor for Reigate & Banstead.