Parking plans could save commuters cash

Marlborough commuters could save hundreds of pounds in parking fees per year thanks to a new initiative by businessman and town council election candidate Martin Houlden.

Martin, who is standing as a Conservative candidate in a forthcoming town council election, is launching the “breathtakingly simple” idea ParkShare, which will allow commuters with cars to connect with homeowners with empty driveways.

Martin said: “A lot of people who live here actually work outside the town and use their cars to commute to their place of work. We also have a lot of retail and office workers who travel in everyday, and need somewhere to park.

“ParkShare is an initiative that hopes to introduce one to the other, so that people who have an empty driveway during the week can rent it out to those who are looking for a parking space in, or near, the town centre.”

Martin, owner of South Design, which jointly produces Chamber News with PR firm Secret Agent Marketing promised: “If this idea receives positive feedback then my company will develop the website at http://marlborough.parkshare.net where local residents can join and register their interest.

“Then commuters can view the embedded Google maps, to see if there’s a suitable space near their place of work. At this point the two parties can then make contact and work out an agreement between themselves, with whatever degree of flexibility and cost that suits them both.

“I hope that the Town Council may be able to sponsor the scheme to get it up and running though they may need to levy a small annual fee to users just to cover their costs.

“But it is primarily a facilitating initiative to relieve parking problems, rather than a scheme to bolster council coffers by taking an ongoing fee.”

Martin said the benefits of the scheme include reduced pressure on car parking spaces, a small financial gain to driveway owners, increased security for residents whose homes now won’t have empty driveways, and positive publicity for the town if it is the first to adopt the scheme.

Chamber News readers can let Martin know what they think of his idea at www.martin4marlborough.com/contact

The election will be held on Thursday, August 19. Martin, whose bid is backed by MP Claire Perry (pictured) is standing against Liberal Democrat Steve Pascall, 73, who was chairman of West Berkshire council before retiring to Marlborough.