Parking permit scheme scrapped

PERMITS NEAR DOCKYARD REJECTED AFTER KEY VOTE

- By WILLIAM TELFORD

PARKING permits will not be introduced near Devonport Dockyard after residents voted against the idea. Plymouth City Council balloted households this summer in areas of Devonport and Ham.

But people living in the seven areas didn’t respond in enough numbers and in some areas clearly came out against introducing permits. A controlled parking zone can only be set up if more than half of its residents - at least 51% - respond, and more than half of those who cast a vote are in support.

None of the balloted areas met these criteria, Plymouth City Council said. In Devonport, the highest response rate was 46.38% in Keyham (south) - and 67.09% of those respondents were against permits. In Ham, the highest response rate was 49.47% in Weston Mill/Keyham - and 74.19% of those didn’t want permits.

In September last year, more than 14,000 Plymouth households were asked for their views about parking problems caused by Devonport dockyard workers - with the possibility of a parking permit scheme being brought in.