Newark and Sherwood District Council have issued a notice  giving their intention to commence charging in King Street and Church Street car parks from Monday 12 May. Charges will apply from 8am to 6pm but there will be an initial period of 2 hours free parking followed by charges of £1.50 to cover the next three hours and £1 an hour thereafter. The initial free period has only been permitted because the Town Council has agreed to pay £5000 from the town's precept to the District Council.

Southwell Town Council opposed any charging regime that did not take into consideration the three conditions they re-iterated at their previous meeting. Other places in the District such as Edwinstowe and Ollerton are not having charges imposed on them and the introduction of the charging in Southwell will have serious implications for on-street parking.  The Council has written to the District Council to express its concerns.

There is insufficent long stay parking  in the town and because of the historical structure of the town, many householders who live in the centre have no off street parking. The District Council has stated that residents parking is the responsibility of the County Council, who also state that they do not operate residents' schemes.

IF YOU WISH TO MAKE REPRESENTATIONS ON THIS SUBJECT you can write to the District Council at Kelham Hall. The 'consultation' period ends on 11th April.