Ashbourne Parking Fines

Well, I read in Our fine local rag, The Stunner, about how the parking police were getting carried away with getting everyone they could, and it worried me. So I wrote to the editor:


Dear Sir,
It was with interest that I read your article about how the parking police were getting carried away at Shrovetide getting everyone they could, and it worried me.It worried me because I could see how this would be driving away local shoppers to shop from home. I am not adverse to shopping online myself, and personally hope people do, as I have my own sites like www.SuitsMen.co.uk and www.LucyAlice.co.uk but I always try to support local businesses when I can, as I appreciate what they have to offer.However, today, I went to town on my motor bike, for a dentist appointment, a hair cut, and to buy a few things. I parked outside Bagshaws on Church Street, on the 1/2 hour free parking taking up very little space. The row of parking spaces was virtually empty, as it was when I returned.After only 41 minutes I had a fixed penalty fine. Now I know I broke the parking rules. But why do they have a 30 minute limit? My guess is so that there is a regular turn over of quick shoppers. I was that Shopper. So I broke the letter, but not the spirit.My next job is to go to Amazon to buy the items I could not get in town. My reluctance to shop in town has been increased by this experience, which is not a good thing for Ashbourne.In summary, this is another classic case of the Council taking money, and the Town losing out. The council should be making it easier for people to park, to use the leisure facilities and make the most of our wonderful town. Instead, they are steadily killing it.



Kind Regards

Rupert Bowling
www.Suitsmen.co.uk