Storm over bus lane

12.00.00am GMT Mon 10th Nov 2003

Your Liberal Democrat Team have been contacted by a number of East Wickham residents voicing their real concerns over the Bus Lane in Welling Town Centre, enforced by Labour controlled Bexley Council.

Two major meetings took place at the Welling Partnership and Bexley Council. Both were frustrating as very little was agreed. The only item that was agreed was the suspension of the parking meters in the Bus Lane, which Cllr Nick O'Hare has called for on numerous occasions. These parking meters have been a bone of contention for some time. Nick has been contacted by residents who stopped briefly at the parking meters, realised they couldn't park at that time and received penalty charge notices, despite denials that you may have read elsewhere.

Residents believe that the Council has been over-zealous and inflexible in issuing Penalty Charge Notices. The worst case being turning left at the traffic lights at the Welling Corner junction where cars have "clipped" the bus lane, and received Penalty Charge Notices. This is clearly unsatisfactory and must be addressed urgently.

Councillor Nick O'Hare said; "Whilst I welcome, at last, the suspension of the parking meters, that is all that has been done. I'm not optimistic that referral to the Labour Cabinet Member will make any difference. The Council will be able to claim up to £1 Million in Penalty Charge Notices. This seems to be their main priority."