Published: April 21, 2008
Unpopular winter parking charges for Burnham-On-Sea overturned

Controversial plans to introduce winter parking charges along Burnham-On-Sea seafront were dramatically thrown out on Monday (April 21st).

Sedgemoor District Council's proposals for all-year-round parking charges along The Esplanade - which were first unveiled by Burnham-On-Sea.com in January - were overturned at a special meeting in the town on Monday afternoon.

Sedgemoor's Road Traffic Order Objections Panel met in The Princess Hall to decide whether the proposals - which have been attacked by the town's Chamber Of Trade and Boat Owners Association - should go ahead.

The unpopular plans were rejected by the panel, delighting opponents to the money-making scheme.

Alex Turco told Burnham-On-Sea.com after Monday's meeting he was "delighted" with the decision.

"Common sense has prevailed. The panel agreed overwhelmingly that it would be wrong to introduce charging this winter."

He added: "Burnham-On-Sea Town Centre needs to be able to compete with the large supermarkets locally, which routinely offer free parking."

"This is particularly the case in the winter months when the Town Centre is routinely affected by inclement weather. The retail sector is experiencing a downturn following the recent financial crisis and so can ill afford to be put at a competitive disadvantage at this time through extended and increased parking charges."

RELATED LINKS:

Chamber of Trade official website
Plans unveiled for Esplanade winter car parking charges