After numerous reports from residents on the doorstep about us “taking away parking zones” and “working with the Tories” we thought it was important to set the record straight. We won’t be doing either of those things!

The Portsmouth Liberal Democrats have been delivering a leaflet with untruths about Portsmouth Labour’s residents parking policy. We take this seriously and have reported it to the Electoral Commission. This article restates our position on this important issue for local residents.

Charlotte Gerada our Central Southsea candidate said: “Labour campaigners have talked to hundreds of local residents and held two well attended public meetings in the last few weeks. I’ve heard first-hand about the issues people are experiencing. These include those facing carers and retail workers; shift workers and small businesses as well as people suffering problems due to displacement”. 

Labour won’t take away your parking zones. 

We have never proposed this and will not do it. The Liberal Democrats are scaremongering.

Labour wants a city-wide parking strategy

Residents should decide if they have a permit zone or not.  However larger areas across the city should be consulted at the same time so zones can be co-ordinated. This current piecemeal approach by the Liberal Democrats leads to displacement of vehicles and problems caused by inappropriate timings of the zones. Only 11 permits for 3rd vehicles in MB and MC zones have been issued. This suggests the cost (£590) leads to displacement.

Labour doesn’t want one zone for the whole city

Different areas of Portsmouth have different parking needs. When residents choose to have a permit zone, they should decide the times most appropriate for them.

Labour wants an integrated parking and transport policy

Public transport can be costly, unreliable and infrequent. To reduce reliance on cars, which cause high levels of pollution, we would use the money raised from permits to improve bus services and cycling provision in Portsmouth.

The Council raised over £100k from MB/MC permit zones in the first month of 2019 alone. People feel the council is cashing in on people’s desperation when it comes to parking. The Liberal Democrats should be transparent about what they intend to do with this cash.

Labour is actively looking for solutions to parking issues

We recently launched the Park Up Pompey campaign, calling on commercial car parks to open up their 1,100 spaces to residential and commercial vehicles overnight. These spaces could help to relieve our congested streets, not to mention the wasted time and fuel trying to find a parking space. People attending our public meetings also came up with a range of ideas to pursue. Read more about the campaign and sign up here.

Sumel Chowdhury our St Thomas candidate added: “These plans are sensible! I’m disappointed that the current administration think this type of scare tactics are ok. They are only doing this to try and win votes. You win elections on ideas, ambition and not on making up things about other parties and candidates”.