The council have now installed two more wooden seating cubes, just in from the pedestrian crossing, blocking another illicit entry place for people intent on evading parking charges and endangering users of our town square, decreed as public realm open space by planning decisions. Markets and events are allowed and the area in front of Verdict is privately owned, so they can use it for tables etc I guess, albeit it is governed by planning law. The only practical way of spoiling the town square with parked vehicles is now by removing anti-parking bollards and the council has made it clear that they would be happy to confiscate the special keys from anyone abusing them. Opening the bollards with illegal keys would presumably then be a serious offence. I did have a word with the new café operator preparing the Verdict premises for a new café, and told him about the town square parking prohibition. He has great plans for new planters, outdoor shade and seating to extend the café into the square - all very welcome to me. Just as long as there's no more parking there! The Verdict owners lost a lot of business by parking there, making the square dangerous and café unpleasant. Not the way to build a thriving business...
Eric Baker ● 787d