August 2018
Our forefathers having neglected to make provision to park vehicles in the ward, just where cars are to go is a perennial dilemma.   Most of the period buildings have no parking areas — let alone garages — and the streets are denied to them by a comprehensive network of yellow lines.

The Friars suffers particularly because residents have barely room to park outside their own doors and visitors, seeking to avoid charges on the public car parks tour the streets, cramming their vehicles in wherever the slightest space can be found.   Frequently residents return home to find that there is no space for them and they have to leave their cars streets away.

Even those who have parking are unable to accommodate visitors.

The difficult situation is exacerbated by the refusal of the planners to insist upon parking provision in new developments and where existing houses are turned into several homes.   The new development on the car park on the junction of Queen Street and Baker Lane is a typical example.   Only two parking places were provided — with the result pictured.   To date vehicles, which habitually park on the pavement there overnight, have not been penalised.

Residents can pay for parking permits on the borough car parks, but there is no guarantee of a space: having shelled out for a permit they can go to park and find there are no available spaces.

The borough’s policy to encourage and organise events in the ‘Old Town’ and waterfront areas reduces still further the available parking spaces.   In an attempt to ease the difficulty, the borough was asked if, for the duration of such events, residents could be allocated space on the town’s surface parks and/or the multi-storey car park.   This was refused out of hand and without discussion.

The ward forum has long argued for residential parking permits and, a far better solution, a modestly-sized multi-storey car park to be built on the existing car park at Boal Quay where residents would be have a dedicated floor.   Needless to say there is no sign of this happening — ever.

Councillors report that there is problem with residents’ permits for on-street parking.   Arcane rules, based on health and safety, decree that vehicles must be allocated specific areas to allow free passage of traffic, which means there is far less space than that available when there is free-for-all parking on-street.

‘Be careful what you wish for’ — the ward forum was warned.

 
 

Parking — a long-term solution?

 

 

Ward forum constituent, Ken Hill, has put together his views on parking in King’s Lynn and his suggestions on the ways it might be addressed.   He is keen that it is read by as many people as possible and welcomes views and comments.
You can read Ken’s views here.
The relevant map for Ken’s views is on the left. Click on it to enlarge.