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Published:
July 30, 2008
Parking restrictions are damaging Burnham business, say traders
Concerned
businesses in Burnham-On-Sea have this week called on the district
council to review 'damaging' seafront parking restrictions which
limit visitors to a maximum stay of four hours.
Traders
in the town say holidaymakers should be able to buy all-day parking
tickets along The Esplanade - just as they do at other local car
parks - and that this is damaging trade.
Among
those calling for the change is Louise Parkin, manager of Burnham
Pavilion, (pictured) who says the current restrictions are impacting
the trade of businesses.
 "Many
day visitors arrive during the early afternoon, and currently
have to leave at around 4pm due to the parking restrictions,"
she told the latest meeting of Burnham Chamber of Trade.
"Those visitors would otherwise have stayed on later into
the afternoon and evening. I know of several shops and businesses
where the restriction is affecting turnover."
Alex
Turco, Chairman of the Chamber of Trade, told Burnham-On-Sea.com
he is sympathatic about the concerns.
"At
the moment there is a maximum stay of four hours in place along
the seafront between 9am and 6pm from April 1st until 30 September,"
he said. "Some of our members would like to see the maximum
stay increased to at least six hours and we have therefore taken
this up with Sedgemoor District Council, who have assured us that
the matter will be considered at the next review of parking charges."
"We
understand that such a change may have revenue implications for
the council, but at the same time we should be encouraging as
many people to visit Burnham and spend as much time here as possible,
particularly during times of economic downturn."
Tom
Dougall, Transport Policy Officer at the district council, confirmed
that the matter will be examined in more detail during the next
few weeks.
Pictured
above is Pier Manager Louise Parkin besides one of the car park
charging meters on Burnham's Esplanade
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