The Mayor of Whitby has said it is ‘extremely difficult’ to live a normal life in the town amid a warning about possible parking changes.
Sandra Turner, the Mayor of Whitby, has warned against changes to parking that would lead to a reduction in parking areas reserved for residents.
“It’s already extremely difficult in Whitby to live a normal life. We embrace tourism, we have no issue with that, but residents have got to be able to live their lives accordingly,” she told a meeting on Wednesday, September 30.
She added: “Now, because of the parking situation, it is extremely difficult to go about your regular daily life.”
Members of North Yorkshire Council (NYC) had told the town council that “there may be more on-street meters being installed and reduced disc parking areas” where motorists can park free of charge for a limited period using a parking disc.
Parking has long been a contentious issue in Whitby, particularly during the tourist season when demand from visitors places pressure on spaces used by residents and businesses.
However, at a meeting of the Scarborough and Whitby Area Committee, NYC said that the Local Area Action Plan (LAAP) for Whitby is “currently at a very early stage and no decisions have been made regarding the introduction of any parking measures”.
“The work undertaken to date has been focused on gathering evidence, identifying existing parking and traffic issues, of which there appear to be many, and considering a range of potential options that may help address those issues,” said Cllr Liz Colling, chair of the committee, on behalf of NYC.
The authority also emphasised that the purpose of the LAAP process was to provide a “structured mechanism for local stakeholders, members, residents, businesses and partner organisations to help shape future priorities for the town”.
Ms Turner, who was re-elected as Mayor of Whitby earlier this year, said: “I want to ask if our elected representatives will support the residents of Whitby in working and voting against any proposed introduction of further on-street parking meters and reduced disc spaces in time and place and areas?”
In its official response, NYC said it would be “premature for the area committee to commit to either supporting or opposing proposals that have not yet been fully developed or formally consulted on”.
However, the mayor of Whitby said: “I stand by what I say. If it has been mentioned in the early stages, it might be that I come back to sit before you in the future and say there are extra parking meters and discs.
“I hope you’ve taken on board that we need to live in this town and embrace our lives in this town and not just for tourism.”
The area committee agreed to seek updates from North Yorkshire Council ahead of its next meeting in November.
By: Anttoni James Numminen, LDRS
