Parking outside Burnham-On-Sea’s Post Office will soon be restricted to 15 minutes in a bid to encourage a faster turnaround of vehicles, councillors decided on Monday (June 3rd).
The decision comes after a petition was signed by dozens of Post Office customers calling for shorter time restrictions to make it easier to find a parking space for quick visits.
Councillors voted in favour of a proposed 15-minute time restriction in Vicarage Street, pictured, at Monday’s Town Council meeting.
Cllr Peter Burridge-Clayton said: “A blanket parking restriction of one hour is being introduced across Burnham town centre, but there is a strong argument for the handful of spaces outside the Post Office to be the one exception with a restriction of 15 minutes.”
“This will encourage a quick turnaround of vehicles, helping customers to get a space when they want to pop in for quick purchases such as stamps or to drop off mail.”
Cllr Michael Clarke added: “I understand the concerns from customers and am happy to support the 15-minute restriction providing that the new signs in Vicarage Street are extra large and draw motorists’ attention to the rule.”
Cllr Paul Young told Monday’s meeting he too is in favour of the changes. “The new parking wardens have done a great job encouraging motorists to watch their time when parked in the town centre and it’s no longer a problem to find a space. This is a great improvement on how it used to be and I think a 15-minute restriction outside the Post Office will work well there too.”
Councillors voted in favour of the proposed 15-minute restriction, although Cllr Helen Groves abstained, explaining: “The Post Office is important but there are lots of other businesses in nearby Victoria Street and we should be encouraging people to spend there too. I feel there is more to be considered and discussed here.”
Somerset County Council will have to advertise and consult on the proposals with the public before they get adopted.
