Parking petition handed to developer behind new Sittingbourne medical practice
Published: 07:00, 29 April 2015
A petition asking for parking restrictions to be lifted around the new Meads Medical Practice in Sonora Fields has been delivered.
Paul Lewis, chairman of the area’s neighbourhood watch group, confirmed the document with dozens of signatures was received by Marshgate Developments, which is behind the project, earlier this month.
In the weeks before the new health centre opened in Quartz Way on March 20, Marshgate painted double yellow lines across the road in front of the centre and installed limited- time parking bays round the back.
This was the first time any such restrictions were put in place in the area.
The move angered a number of people living and working in Sonora Fields who said the new rules meant it was almost impossible to park. Mr Lewis said of the petition: “It seems like it might make a difference – hopefully it will.
“They could have done a lot better that what they did.”
The petition calls for Marshgate to remove the yellow lines and signpost the ambulance bay to allow vehicles to unload in the layby for shop deliveries.
All the restrictions ban parking for 24 hours a day.
Campaigners want some of these relaxed to cover just the time the surgery is open.
Mr Lewis also raised concerns that the allocated patient spaces, in Jenny Wren Pub car park, could be insufficient for a health centre catering for thousands of people.
He said: “You can’t forecast how many people turn up at the surgery.”
Marshgate Developments could not be reached for comment.
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Rachel O'Donoghue