An article in the societyÕs New Year newsletter points out that, despite representations from many quarters and pleas from local councillors that any charges should be minimal to aid the regeneration of the Normandy Street end of town, they appeared to fall on deaf ears.
They were rejected because, according to portfolio holder for transport and traffic Jacinta Standen, the aim of the district council was to discourage the use of cars and introducing free parking would not be in line with that policy.
But, points out the Alton Society: ÒThe people who live and work in Alton know that a car park is vital to the local economy and it begs the question, how did the council justify building it?Ó