Motorists could soon be able to park for no longer than one hour in Burnham-On-Sea town centre – and delivery lorries could be banned during the daytime – as part of radical new plans to make the town more ‘shopper friendly’.
The new one-hour maximum parking restriction will be introduced along town centre roads, excluding The Esplanade and car parks, during 2013 by Somerset County Council in a bid to standardise parking rules. The only exception will be disabled motorists, who will have a two hour limit.
Town Council Clerk Eileen Shaw told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “There are many different parking restrictions in force at the moment across the town centre, which make it confusing for motorists. We also hope that introducing an hour’s limit will increase the amount of parking spaces available during the daytime.”
As part of the proposals, the number of disabled spaces along the High Street may be reduced and time restrictions could be introduced on loading bays.
A daytime lorry ban in the High Street is also being considered by the council.
Resident Tony Lynham told the latest meeting of the Town Improvements Committee: “There is frequent chaos in the town centre when delivery vans and lorries clog up the streets. I and many other residents would like to see the High Street lorry free between 10am and 4pm.”
Alex Turco, representing Burnham Chamber of Trade, said he “worries about the practicalities of a lorry ban” and added it would be “very difficult to enforce given couriers from outside of the area would be unaware of the restrictions.”
And Mayor Ken Smout added: “Some shops along the High Street have no rear access to make alternative deliveries in the day away from the High Street so a pragmatic approach would have to be found.”
Cllr Michael Clarke, who chairs the Town Improvements Committee, said: “We won’t please everyone. A good balance is needed to please residents and traders and improve the overall situation.”
The proposals will be considered again in further detail at the Town Council’s next meeting.
