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Residents’ Parking Scheme for Kennet Place? About time say Marlborough Councillors

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Parking spaces in Kennet Place

”Strongly’ supported’ added councillor Jo Waltham when the proposal to support Kennet Place resident Val Compton’s impassioned plea for a long discussed and delayed ‘Resident’s Parking Scheme’ to be agreed for Kennet Place came up for debate.

At the start of last night’s (Monday 05 December) meeting of the Town Council Planning Committee Val Compton asked the following question: ‘Can I persuade the Town Council to give me their full support for the second time, on the application for residents’ Parking overnight in Kennet Place?’

Councillors agreed with Jo Waltham’s addition of ‘Strongly’ to the proposal which goes forward to Wiltshire council for them to agree and implement.

The need for this Resident Parking Scheme has been long discussed. And recognised, and agreed. By Marlborough Town council anyway (originally discussed and supported back in 2016), but it’s the Local Authority – Wiltshire Council where the responsibility lies.

“It’s for the terrace of eight cottages” explained Val. “It’s not for all day, only for overnight between 6pm and 8am” she added. At present in Kennet Place there is an unrestricted area where drivers (inevitably) discover and use to park as in Marlborough, particularly in the centre of the town, unrestricted parking space is at a premium and eagerly sought. (Admittedly, many drivers recently may feel that roads in and around Marlborough are effectively ‘unrestricted parking areas’ when stuck in queues caused by the incessant proliferation of unannounced road works and traffic lights that afflict residents, visitors and through traffic alike).

“This appeared on a list for 2018” explained Val. “And then due for review in 2020”, adding that COVID then intervened and this project, along with many others ‘sort of’ disappeared.

“We are asking for Kennet Place to be Residents’ Parking Only from 6pm to 8am, but we would like this to be regarded as a ‘pilot scheme'” said Val, explaining that this wasn’t the only location in Marlborough where such a scheme is necessary as parking has become such a premium. She also made clear that this scheme should not affect parking during the day, so to be used by any drivers then.

So more Town Council support – but now what? Wiltshire Council, it’s their ultimate decision to agree and then implement. It would be a real and significant step forward in addressing the issue of parking (and roads?) in Marlborough, something that will be addressed in the New Year (on 23 February) when Devizes MP, Danny Kruger will attend a meeting in the Town Hall to discuss ‘All Things Roads’.