Tourist traffic jams and car park clashes
could be cut dramatically this summer after the KM
Group and Canterbury City Council in Kent revealed their plans
for a trial park and ride scheme this week.
In a ground-breaking agreement, council chiefs
have teamed up with the multimedia company to run
buses from the 80-space car park of its purpose-built office,
Gazette House, on the outskirts of Whitstable.
Canterbury City Council’s head of
transportation and engineering, Viv Pritchard, said the council
hoped the scheme would be successful in tackling the problems the
town suffers from during summer weekends.
He said: "Whitstable is a very popular town
for visitors, especially at the weekend, and we know that parking
is limited which causes considerable congestion as people try and
find a space.
"We have been trying to find a park and ride
site for a number of years, but nothing has been suitable or
available.
"However, the move of the KM Group into
Whitstable has given us a new option, and we are very pleased to be
working with them to provide a much-needed facility."
Kentish Gazette editor Leo Whitlock adds "For
years our paper, and these days our website www.kentishgazette.co.uk
and our kmfm radio station have been reporting on the gridlock that
inflicts the town during the summer months.
"People have been desperately trying to find a
solution and I am really pleased that by offering use of our car
park, we can do something positive to help people in the town.
"Gazette House is already designed to be
extremely energy efficient, save water and encourage people to
cycle and walk to work.
"We hope that the park and ride scheme becomes
a huge success and our building adds to its reputation for helping
the environment by helping to save the fuel of queuing motorists
and by cutting pollution."
The scheme has been welcomed by local
politicians, the Whitstable Society and the Whitstable Chamber of
Commerce.
Built in September 2008, the building’s green
credentials recently helped KM Group scoop this year’s
Environmental Newspaper Company of the Year in the 2009 Newspaper Awards.
Employees based at Gazette House work on the
Kentish Gazette group of paid-for newspapers, the recently
redesigned Canterbury Extra free newspaper, www.kentishgazette.co.uk
and kmfm for Canterbury.
(May 18, 2009)