Parking
This is a cultural clash between left-leaning green councillors and those that live in the real World.
The former view all motorists as easy targets for extra revenue but fail to appreciate that cars mean independence for so many people. Secondly, hard-pressed high street shop owners and workers need every customer they can find in order to keep their jobs and businesses viable. Green anti-car policies come at the expense of jobs and the independence of people for whom their car is a daily lifeline.
Against the will of local residents, we are seeing the spread of residents-only parking, charging for on-street parking, increasing car parking fees and the widespread use of parking apps that many older people find awkward and do not want to use. Cheriton is the latest area to be targeted with many shop-owners on the high street in danger of losing their livelihoods. Thankfully the local backlash has been both severe and, for now, successful.
Reform UK policy:
If local parking policies are to be changed at all, it should be to make it easier and cheaper for car-based hoppers to visit high streets in Folkestone, Hythe and New Romney. The alternative is more and more depressed local shopping areas with charity shops next to closed-up retail premises. A crowd brings a crowd and vice-versa.