Lively debate dominated the proceedings at the public participation meeting held recently. Members of the public were invited to give input about the proposed park and pay meters, which the municipality is considering adopting in parts of the central business district (CBD).
The meeting was held at the Estcourt Town Hall last Tuesday at 5.30pm and was attended by a handful of residents and businessmen, councillors, municipal officials and Mr Niemand from the company who intends on providing the meters.
At the outset Council Speaker Cesar Nunes explained that the meeting was the first step in the public participation process and explained that this project was sparked after concerns were raised by businesspeople about congestion in the CBD. Mr Niemand then went on to explain that like South African towns, Estcourt experienced congestion in some areas and a realisation has set in that the need to bring back an orderly system was essential.
The park and pay meter, which was circulated among those present is a handheld device that your registration number will be entered into and after you pay for your required parking time, will produce a receipt, specifying all the relevant information, which you display inside your vehicle.
He explained that the advantages of the pay and park meters included creating employment, bringing a steady income to the municipality, reduces traffic volumes and works hand-in-hand with police, traffic officers and a CCTV camera system. Residents were then invited to ask questions and Mr Niemand fielded off some tough questions, eventually resolving to send emails showing the good track records that he spoke of when describing how the meters were working in other towns.
The general feeling among businesspeople present was that the pay and park meters would be placing an extra financial burden on ratepayers. Others said that the onus of enforcing the existing traffic laws lies with the Protection Services and if this were enforced, there would be no need for the parking meters.
Questions were also raised about whether “free time” would be considered for quick deliveries and storeowners.
Two residents voiced their agreement with the pay and park meters, saying that it will be the best way to eliminate people who “hog” parking bays in Harding, Victoria and Albert streets. The meeting concluded just before 7pm.
