County council ditches controversial plan to close Ashfield parking spaces after outcry from retailers

The council wanted to ban parking on Station Street in Kirkby and Forest Street in Sutton, purportedly to make mores space for social-distancing pedestrians.

The proposals caused controversy when they first emerged in October, with the county council accused of failing to consult local retailers and Ashfield District Council over the potential impact on businesses which were already struggling for footfall.

District councillor Daniel Williamson, who represents Kirkby Cross and Portland ward, had helped rally traders against the plans and welcomed the chance of heart at County Hall.

He said: “This is a common sense decision and I am pleased that our strong opposition to these barmy plans have been listened to.

“We said as soon as these daft proposals were sneaked out – that this was the wrong thing to do.”

He added: “It just goes to show how remote the county council is – making decisions sat behind a desk in West Bridgford. If they had any modicum of common sense, they would know that this idea was stupid.

“This is a victory for local traders and we are pleased to play a leading part in persuading the county council to drop these anti-trading plans.”

The lay-bys are located outside some of the towns' most popular independent shops, which rely on the parking spaces for passing customers and deliveries.

District councillor Rachel Madden, who represents Annesley and Kirkby Woodhouse, said: “I would like to thank council officers for joining Ashfield Independent councillors to oppose the Conservative plans.

"There’s no doubt – it would have led to a huge loss of passing trade and the closure of Kirkby and Sutton businesses who rely on it.”

She added: “Retailers in Kirkby, Sutton and across Ashfield have had a hard enough time during the pandemic without an interfering county council making it more difficult.

“Our strong opposition was successful and it just goes to show that by working together – we can stop the county council from making ridiculous decisions.”

The district council is encouraging residents to shop small and support local independent retailers this Christmas, with free weekend parking at all its town centre car parks throughout December.

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