Highways chiefs at Cumbria County Council have decided to extend a major consultation in Keswick for a further two weeks.
The deadline for the public to have its say on a community parking permit scheme across the “back streets” and the roll out of double yellow lines, had been due to end on Sunday, March 6.
But the extension has been branded “meaningless” by local campaign group — Keswick Parking Action Committee (KPAC).
It claimed the county council was trying to “fob off” the group which had called for the suspension of the consultation process.
It lodged a formal complaint to the council last week and believes its online consultation is flawed.
A KPAC spokesman said: “This two-week extension to the consultation process to Sunday 20 March is, essentially, meaningless. First, by the time local people find out about it – when the Reminder is published on March 11 – it is just a nine-day extension for them.”
KPAC and other opponents have complained that the consultation did not include enough evidence for people to make a proper judgement on the proposals. KPAC said web links had since been added to the county council consultation page — www.cumbria.gov.uk/keswickparking — to two key reports giving some background to the proposals.
But the spokesman said the additional information still did not allow people and businesses to “see the evidence” that the county council claims makes a case for a parking permit scheme.
The group said it intends to pursue its complaint against the county council to the Local Government Ombudsman.
Cllr Keith Little, cabinet member for highways, said: “I would like to encourage the local community to complete the consultation, as we need as much feedback as possible, as it will help us in making the final decisions about parking improvements in Keswick”.
“Reviewing parking provision and restrictions and analysing traffic data is an important aspect of the work of our highways teams, and the ultimate goal is to provide fair and sufficient access to parking, to enhance road safety and reduce accidents.”
