Sean O'Hare
PARKING in Chalfont St Peter sets to worsen if proposals to replace parking spaces with lorry loading bays gets the go-ahead.
As part of the Chiltern Special Parking Area Review carried out in 23 areas across Chiltern District, Market Place and Church Lane in Chalfont St Peter have come under scrutiny following a shop owner's complaint that the current parking situation makes delivery to the local shops difficult.
John Charlton, parking services manager for Buckinghamshire County Council said In a letter sent out to Market Place shopkeepers and residents directly affected by the proposals: "The introduction of a goods loading bay outside 16-18 Market Place and the taxi rank outside York House will provide an area where goods deliveries can take place in a safe and convenient manner."
The loading bay in Market Place would be up to 16metres in length and would take the place of three car spaces.
Michael Warner, director of Activity Chest, the toy shop at 17 Market Place, said: "This proposal is a total surprise and not very well thought through.
"The proposed unloading area in Market Place is outside our toy shop where there are always children and mums with pushchairs.
"This is potentially dangerous as lorries mount the pavement to park.
"And I doubt if this scheme will work anyway as it is highly unlikely that delivery drivers will use this area to deliver to the shops at the top and bottom of Market Place.
President of Chalfont St Peter Chamber of Commerce said: "We welcome any intitiative that promotes safety in the village, but feel that this proposal needs further thought regarding its practicality and usability.
"Also, reducing the number of parking places available to shoppers even further isn't helpful to encourage shoppers to the village."
In response to the negative response, Mr Charlton said: "This is just an informal consultation and if the majority of responses are negative we will take them to Chilten District Council and it may well be the case that there won't be any changes at all.
"If someone really feels strongly about it I sugge