Community backs Little Sutton shopkeeper’s pavement parking idea

Sep 9 2009 by Gary Porter, Ellesmere Port Pioneer

MORE than 1,000 people have signed a petition set up by shopkeepers calling for improved parking facilities at Little Sutton shopping centre.

Residents are backing their proposal to reduce the size of the pavement on Chester Road to provide increased parking bays for customers.

The petition also urges Cheshire West and Chester Council to invest in the shopping precinct to attract more people to the village.

Dave Parry, who runs KS Convenience supermarket and has lived in Little Sutton for five years, admits he would consider not renewing his lease if improvements are not made.

He said: “It’s a sensible idea. What I’m seeing is a lot of cars parking on the double lines or putting two wheels on the kerb anyway.

“Why not set up half-hour parking? It could create 20 to 30 spaces and make the area more user friendly. I can’t imagine that it would cost a fortune.

“The customers still call Little Sutton a village and with a little imagination the council could do something with it.

“What can they do to invigorate the area? I see potential, but do I want to invest my time further? I need a bit of commitment back.”

A CWAC spokeswoman said: “We are fully committed on projects this financial year and we have no spare funding available for such a scheme.

“This type of work would require extensive consultation with the project with the public at large to identify if a scheme was viable.

“Maybe this could be considered either next year or 2011/12 in the local transport plan budget depending on public opinion and it meeting safe highway requirements.”