Rye Council and residents had a two hours plus Zoom meeting about parking this Monday, and it should not affect me at all – but it does.
However, I’m not a car owner (I live up the hill and on Rye’s edge in Valley Park) though my “ex” was a car owner and, when she lived in Wish Ward, she parked overnight in Mason Road (which has many cars, but few homes) at the entrance to Tilling Green because it was free, and only a short walk away.
Parking in Wish Ward was not possible as she lived on top of a junction, and had no garden, drive or garage. Later, though, she lived in Watchbell Street, but still had no garage or drive.
However she had a permit to park in Watchbell Street from the County Council, if there was space (but you were not provided with a space of your own, and visitors could fill the gaps). So it was back to Cooper Road some weekends.
Why can’t I see the park ?
I, however, live in Valley Park, have a garage, do not have a car, and have loaned out the garage (currently occupied by an ancient French car, a 2CV).
But I did have a view of Valley Park from my kitchen and from my front bedroom, and I still have it from upstairs, but downstairs the view is often/mainly hidden by cars.
And they arrive at the start of the day, stay there (empty) most of the day, and then vanish. And when people talk about displacement that is what they mean: cars that could be parked elsewhere (but possibly at a price) that end up in front of my kitchen window.
And I know my “ex” was a guilty party in Wish Ward because friends have hired garages elsewhere in Rye when they had no other choice. But was she in Watchbell Street? That County Council scheme seems to have its shortcomings (particularly when the Hope Anchor is busy) as may other parking schemes.
Cars are necessary though
But people do need cars for their daily lives and jobs and these add up if you have adult children with jobs. I am often surprised by the houses which have no garage (and sometimes no drive even) but do have three or four cars. However, I have to rely on public transport so I recognise its shortcomings locally.
Parking is not a simple issue though, and when I lived round the back of Kings Cross station in London, we had commuters park right outside our front door in a mews until heavy fines and hyperactive wardens stopped that happening.
But we learnt (my “ex” was a local Camden councillor) that parking required a clear, detailed and overall plan if you want to avoid just shifting the parking problems from one street to another.
I suggest Rye needs an overall plan, though I’m glad I’m no longer on Rye Council and blessed with the task of sorting it out.
However, I would like the view from my kitchen window restored, though another problem is that it seems that at least a third of the cars people buy now don’t seem to fit into the garage they’ve got. But that’s a grouse for another day.
Image Credits: Kevin McCarthy .