Perry St staff rebel against parking limit

Perry St workers are not in full support of Masterton District Council's proposed parking limit for the southern side of the Masterton street.

There were 51 signatories of a submission against the proposed P120 limit on one side of Perry St that was discussed at last week's council meeting.

Staff from several Perry St businesses signed the submission and recommended that council postpone the parking changes "until [they] have consulted all Perry St stakeholders".

Northco Insurance Brokers director Steve Hurley supported the limit postponement.

"What happened is every business in Perry St had the opportunity to sign a letter asking that council reconsider the limit or consult us," he said.

"I personally thought it would have made more sense to hold a meeting of the Perry St stakeholders before making any decisions."

The submission to council by Perry St businesses was accompanied by a letter from Mr Hurley that said, "I have canvassed the Perry St businesses with nine written replies confirming that they have not been consulted by MDC [the council] on this matter and are not happy with the parking solution."

Mr Hurley said that he would accept whatever decision was made by council but recommended more consultation of Perry St stakeholders.

The council said it was discussing options with each business that would be affected by the introduction of a parking limit and was still in favour of promoting a higher customer turnover rate for the Perry St businesses, which introducing the limit would achieve.

The two-hour limit for 14 street carparks along one side of Perry St is aimed at providing some relief to customers, who have in the past struggled to find close parking.

Latest figures recorded by the council on May 19 showed that on both sides of Perry St, from Cole St to Coradine St, 30 of the 47 street parks were occupied for more than four hours that day. Twelve were filled all day. It was this survey that prompted council to introduce a parking limit.

Concerns were also raised by Beverley Jack from the Wairarapa Community Centre over congestion and health and safety with the parking situation on Perry St.