The war of words over the provision of residents’ parking permits for local people forced to move their cars every couple of hours to avoid a £70 ticket now that civil parking enforcement has been introduced in Boston has been stepped up a notch.
The problem facing people whose homes are in parking controlled areas is that since the Lincolnshire County Council appointed traffic wardens began work early in December last year they are now touring roads that for many years have been ignored – meaning that residents have been able to park for as long as they like … something described on one local councillor as “delinquent” parking.
The change has produced a nightmare for hundreds of local people. Each time they see a warden in the street, they have to wait for a couple of hours, and then move their car and park somewhere else to avoid a penalty.
When the new system came into force, the county council claimed: “Taking on these new parking enforcement powers means we can do more to keep people moving safely on the roads, reducing congestion from inconsiderate parking, and supporting businesses with parking bays outside” – none of which apply to most residential side streets built in the days before the car was king.
Not only that, but Councillor Derek Richmond, Boston’s town centre portfolio holder, and the man responsible for parking matters, has said that the council has been waiting for the county to take on parking enforcement before permits could be considered  – even though they have been under discussion on one shape or form for the past five years.
As is so often the case with claims made by the Worst Street leadership, this has proved to be a load of tosh.
Not only that, but the chairman of the council’s Environment and  Performance Committee, Tory Councillor Mark Baker, has refused to discuss the issue before the committee meets on 19^th June.
And he is sticking to his guns, even though he has been presented with a petition containing 60 signatures  - one from each household –from residents of Thorold, Hartley, Red Lion and Tunnard Streets.
His excuse is that the council officers involved will not have enough time to prepare a report for the March meeting of the committee on the 27^th.
Independent Councillor Carol Taylor, who collected the signatures in a very short space of time, has told Councillor Baker: “Boston Borough Council has a number of excellent officers, and I feel that they have enough knowledge and experience to prepare a report at short notice. This issue is not exclusive to Boston and there are many parking strategies around the country including Lincoln.
“I do hope that your original decision not to bring the issue forward to the March meeting is not attributable to the forthcoming Lincolnshire county elections in May and subsequent results. If this is the case, then politics is being put before the needs of the good people of Boston.”
Next Wednesday, February 27^th, Councillor Taylor will be manning a  all-party stall in the Market Place near the Ingram Memorial between 10am and 2pm  along with Councillors Mary Wright, Paul Kenny,  Gloria Smith, Paul  Mould and Alison Austin to seek public opinion on a residents’ parking scheme among other issues.
Aside from the suggestion that delaying discussion may be politically expedient, other thoughts that occur are whether Boston Borough Council would prefer the status quo in the hope that it will drive motorists to buy their car park season tickets for £328 a year – rather than charge them the typical £1 a week that residents elsewhere pay for a permit.
Councillor Taylor, meanwhile, has told Councillor Baker: “The distress caused to so many people due to parking restrictions must not be underestimated, which is why it is now for urgent discussion. These residents are asking for our help. It is our duty as privileged elected councillors to act and act quickly.”

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