Survey on a Car Parking Strategy for Frome

By Adam Boyden for the Somerton & Frome Liberal Democrats and Mendip Lib Dem councillor group.

Mendip District Council has reviewed its Car Parking Strategy, with a report to Cabinet in April which was withdrawn following objections from members of the Car Parks Working Group. A revised strategy was issued to Frome Town Council, Frome Chamber of Commerce and other stakeholders for limited consultation for 10 days in April, and will be presented to Mendip's next Cabinet meeting on 21st May.  Frome Town Council's Town Matters Committee meeting on 25th April will discuss a critical report on this and wider parking issues and a meeting on transport in Frome is being planned for mid-May (see http://www.frometowncouncil.gov.uk/meeting/town-matters-11/). We will use the survey responses to report back to Frome Town and Mendip District Councils on what people have said, and to shape our councillors' responses. Any personal details will not be passed on. Thank you.

The Liberal Democrats and their elected representatives may use the information you give in question 10 to contact you, but only if you agree to us doing so. By providing contact details to us, you would be consenting to us making contact with you in the future by mail, email, telephone, text, website and apps, even though you may be registered with the Telephone Preference Service. Your data may be stored or otherwise processed in the US, governed by European Commission model contract clauses. You can always opt out of communications at any time by contacting us or visiting www.libdems.org.uk/optout. For more information go to www.libdems.org.uk/privacy 

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* 1. The MDC April Car Parking Strategy report proposed to increase car parking charges in line with inflation, rounded up to the nearest 10p. This would see charges in Frome car parks rise (where applicable) by 10 or 20p for up to 4 hrs and by 20-30p for 9 hours. (With some exceptions: charges up to 4 hrs at Vicarage St and South Parade would go down to match Cattle Market prices; Merchants Barton would see a £1.10 rise for a 4 hour stay and a £2.30 rise for up to 9 hrs).
Are you concerned by these potential changes?

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* 2. MDC's April report proposed to increase car park season tickets, by 38% to £372/yr for North Parade car park, by 60% to £708/yr for Cattle Market and Merchants Barton, and by 72% to £372 per year for South Parade, Rook Lane and Wine Street car parks.
Are you concerned by the potential increase in car park season ticket prices?

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* 3. MDC's April report proposed to introduce charging for car parking on Sundays in Frome, including Frome Independent Market days, with the same charges as other days. Are you concerned by this?

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* 4. Mendip District Council is considering revising their proposed Boxworks (shipping container startup businesses) development in the Cattle Market car park, and proposes in future to investigate the feasibility of selling the North Parade car park for development. There are no current plans to replace any parking spaces lost to these initiatives.
Are you concerned by the potential loss of car parking spaces in Frome town centre from these initiatives?

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* 5. Free short term car parking was removed when the Market Place/ Boyle Cross was remodelled by Frome Town Council, and has not yet been replaced.
Do you think some free short term car parking spaces should be made available?

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* 6. Are there any problems with on street parking where you live?

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* 7. What other improvements to transport infrastructure, including for walking, cycling and public transport, car sharing and electric vehicles, do you think are needed in Frome?

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* 8. Do you agree that Mendip should reconsider its Car Parking Strategy and proactively work with Frome Town Council, town centre businesses, organisations and residents on a more comprehensive strategy for on-street and off-street car parking and other forms of transport in Frome?

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* 9. This survey is promoted by district councillor Adam Boyden of the Mendip Lib Dem councillor group and the Somerton & Frome Lib Dems. Would you like us to contact you by email on the results of this survey and any future newsletters and surveys?

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* 10. Please leave your contact details (any personal details you give will only be used for the stated purpose in Q9, be kept secure, and will not be passed on to third parties, in line with existing and future data protection laws).

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