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Councillor calls for
u-turn on charges
A Horncastle councillor has called for a “united campaign” tin an attempt to force a re-think on controversial increases in car park charges.
It will cost more to park in East Lindsey District Council-owned car parks from April. In addition, charges will be introduced on The Wong for the first time.
Coun Richard Barker - who runs a business in Horncastle - says the decision to charge more will drive people away from the town.
He described the decision to charge at The Wong as “disgusting.”
Coun Barker praised Horncastle’s three district councillors for their opposition to the increases but said other organisations - including the town council - should have done more.
He believes the council should team up with other local organisations to oppose the increases.
He said: “Businesses in Horncastle are struggling and what we actually need is free parking - not an increase.
“What they (ELDC) has done with regard to The Wong is disgusting. How can they charge people to park on what is basically a ploughed field?”
Coun Barker said he felt the town council should have been more proactive in opposing the plans.
He revealed the parking charges would be discussed at a meeting of the town’s business community but admitted it was probably “expecting too much” for ELDC to perform a u-turn.
Coun Barker has also called for action from Lincolnshire County Council to deal with a number of highways issues in the town.
He is particularly concerned about the safety of the recently improved junction of the A153 and A158.
Coun Barker claimed the traffic lights should include a filter signal for traffic waiting to turn into the Bull Ring from Skegness Road.
He has contacted the county council - and Horncastle’s county councillor Bill Aron - about that and other issues.
Coun Barker said he was speaking out after claiming he had been “marginalised” at council meetings.
He was recently cleared by a top level ELDC investigation after a fellow councillor had complained about his conduct.
Following the investigation, it was recommended councillors should receive special training on how to behave.
Coun Barker said he was still waiting for the council to announce when the training would take place.
He claimed he was “increasingly frustrated” by what he said was the town council’s reluctance to get involved in major local issues.
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Weather for Horncastle
Thursday 23 May 2013
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 4 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 5 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 28 mph
Wind direction: North
