Public engagement offers chance to drive changes to Thanet’s parking strategy

Thanet residents and local businesses are invited to take part in the first of two phases of public engagement around parking in the district. Launching on Monday 29 January and running for a total of five weeks, external consultants are hosting two surveys to be completed by local residents or people who own or manage a business in Thanet.

The surveys which are estimated to take 10 minutes to complete are an opportunity for people to share their views of parking on street or in council-owned car parks in the vicinity of their home, local high street or business. The purpose of the engagement is to gain a better understanding of how people feel about parking facilities across Thanet and to inform the council’s review of parking.

The overall aim is for the council to develop an updated parking strategy that addresses the needs of the local community as well as visitors to the area. The result will be a refreshed approach to parking which looks at the experiences of drivers as well as understanding how active travel e.g. walking or cycling, can also be accommodated in the future.

Both surveys can be found on Your Voice Thanet, the council’s online engagement site. While access to the surveys doesn’t require registration, further engagement such as commenting on or suggesting ideas or voting in polls in the future will ask interested individuals to sign up. In doing so residents can request email updates as the project progresses.

As well as offering the option to complete the survey online, the appointed consultants Ethos, who specialise in transportation and highways projects, are hosting a drop-in session on Tuesday 6 February at Droit House, Margate from 2pm to 7pm. This is an opportunity for anyone who wants help completing the survey to attend.

Cllr Heather Keen, Cabinet member with responsibility for parking said “A review of parking for the district is critical for us to be able to plan for the future. I’d encourage everyone who lives or works in Thanet to make the time to participate. Hearing from the local community will help to give us a better understanding of everyone’s needs.”

There will be a number of further engagement opportunities for the local community and interested stakeholders, either virtually or in person. The second phase of public engagement begins in May, during which there will be additional chances for people to express their views.

Thanet District Council owns or manages a number of car parks across the district. It currently provides free parking every Saturday at the multi-storey car park in Margate (Mill Lane), Cannon Road in Ramsgate, as well as at Harold Road Car Park, Cliftonville and St Peter’s Park Road Car Park in Broadstairs.

Your Voice Thanet: https://yourvoice.thanet.gov.uk/en-GB/projects/review-of-parking-in-thanet