New parking proposals unveiled

Changes to original plans - which were withdrawn in April - include a new proposed crossing in School Lane, extra disabled parking bays in High Street and The Broadway, and extra double yellow lines to protect accesses.
Val Letheren, Buckinghamshire County Council's cabinet member for transport, who will make the decision in the new year, said: "Certain issues came up at the public meetings about how people felt about the original scheme and we have taken that into consideration. We are aware that there has been a well-organised public group against this and we are willing to listen to what people have to say - I shan't go ahead regardless.
"We have tried to keep the cost to a minimum and any profits will go straight into improvements, such as traffic work, for the benefit of the people of Amersham."
School Lane is the first area in the county to have a proposed school permit area. Rob Levine, a parent governor at St Mary's Church of England School, said he estimates the cost for the 40 permits expected to be needed could be as high as £3,400, which would come out of the school's budget. Mr Levine said: "In the absence of any clear information, we have made a calculation - this money would otherwise go on books, playground equipment and things that help children's education."
Annual permits will cost £52 for the first, £78 for a second and £117 for the third and any subsequent ones - although households will be limited to two. Residents will also be offered up to 50 visitor scratch cards - costing £1 each.
Sarah-Jane Axelby, 34, a resident of Whielden Street, where pay and display and permit holder spaces are proposed, said legal action may be opponents' only option. Mrs Axelby, who handed in letters of objection to Chiltern District Council on Tuesday, said: "No evidence was provided that there is a need for this scheme in the town - I have yet to meet someone who has seen any.
"They crucially fail to incorporate feedback from the consultation earlier this year - 435 letters were sent detailing ideas and clearly only a handful had been implemented.
" All you have to do is walk through the town and see how many residents have our No to Parking Plans poster in their window - it is a real public show of how strongly people feel about this issue."
The Examiner launched its 'free not fee' campaign in February 2008 to back those opposing the principle of having to pay to park in the Chiltern District.
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