A paper version of the Dover Town Investment Zone (DTIZ) petition is still attracting votes from residents, employees and students of the district.

The e-petition, while still mounting up in votes, now has a paper copy to act as a counterpart.

Alan Shirley, of Valley Road in River, instigated the petition and was disappointed to hear a comment from Dover District Council (DDC), published in last week’s Mercury, that a meeting at this time would be “counterproductive” even if the goal of 1,600 votes was achieved.

Mr Shirley said: “I grew up in Dover, then lived in Australia.

“Dover is substantially worse than what it was.

“We have been back for a few years and still nothing has happened.

“The petition seemed to be the only way to get councillors and their officers to tell us what it is that’s going on.”

In Mr Shirley’s eyes, the DTIZ area, just off from Townwall Street, looks somewhat drab, and in desperate need of revitalisation.

He added: “It has been like that for 10 years plus.”

“I am giving them the opportunity to tell us how well they have done in public.

“It has raised my suspicions that they are less than competent.” - Alan Shirley

So far, the paper version has acquired 750 votes, which means that alongside the e-petition, the figure of 1,600 is drawing ever closer.

Mr Shirley hopes that if a meeting does go ahead that it will include vital information about the DTIZ’s progress.

He concluded: “I hope to hear how much they have spent and how much they will continue to spend and when we will see any visible progress.”

A DDC spokesman replied: “We have made no decisions on this matter at this stage."

Check out this week's Mercury, out tomorrow, for more details.