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Newland Street Parking Petition

Petition supporting Witham Town Council’s decision to oppose the changes intended to be implemented by the North Essex Parking Partnership (NEPP)

 

The North Essex Parking Partnership (NEPP) is consulting on its plans to change parking in Newland Street.  Whilst the one hour free parking would still remain it would be necessary to register your vehicle either by using the MiPermit app or via an on street payment machine.  There would be a facility to extend your stay beyond an hour to two.  The cost of this extra hour would be £2.80.  NEPP states that these proposals would allow for more efficient and effective enforcement and encourage a greater turnover of spaces, which would benefit nearby businesses.

 

The Town Council strongly opposes these changes as it is highly likely that access to services would be adversely affected as would the economic vitality and vibrancy of the Town Centre and Newland Street. These proposals would impact on those who do not have electronic payment abilities, those with mobility issues or if you want to park for a few minutes whilst posting a letter or nip into a shop.  There is no evidence, particularly with regard to the economic vitality and vibrancy of Witham’s Town Centre and Newland Street that any research had been undertaken to demonstrate that these changes would not adversely affect the economic activity of the Town Centre and High Street traders.

 

If you agree with the points raised by Witham Town Council and/or are against the proposed changes parking, please sign this petition.

To sign this petition please complete and submit this form

Previous surveys, petitions and consultations

Residents are, wherever possible, given the opportunity to participate in surveys either online via our website, by completing and returning a paper copy to us in the Information Centre or by visiting our Councillors at one of their pop-up stalls in the town centre.  Paper copies are circulated to every household in Witham inside Witham's Voice magazine. Previous surveys include:​

  • Autumn 2025 - We held a public art consultation asking for ideas on how to spend Section 106 money that is allocated to an art project

  • Autumn 2024 - We conducted a consultation asking if Witham residents were in favour of a Pride event in the town

  • Summer 24 - Residents were invited to submit their ideas for improvements in our open spaces that would be funded 

  • Spring 2024 - An eco survey asked residents to let us know what they recycled and where, as well as their views on climate change

  • ​Winter 2023 - We conducted a survey asking residents their opinions of our events schedule and invited them to tell us what events they would like us to put on

  • Spring 2022 - We asked Witham residents for their feedback on our quarterly magazine, Witham's Voice

  • Autumn 2020 - We conducted a survey to find resident's views of the current CCTV in the town and ask for their suggestions of locations to extend the CCTV network to

  • Summer 2020 - We invited users of the River Walk to give us their feedback to help us shape our River Walk Management Plan

  • March 2020 - Residents of Pelly Avenue were asked for feedback on the parking in their road

  • 2019 - Residents of The Paddocks were consulted on parking concerns in their road​

On issues that affect the residents of Witham, the Town Council also promote and facilitate completion of surveys for Braintree District Council and Essex Council.

In addition to our surveys, we have also asked for the help and input of Witham residents:

  • In August 2025, we arranged for a street artist to paint the skate park in Witham.  The community street art event at Witham skate park was a great success. The event, funded by developers Section 106 contributions, saw around 50 children and young people work with professional artist Scott Irving from Brave Arts to create artwork at the skate park in Spa Road.  Scott had engaged with young people at the Witham Hangout Youth Club and consulted with the skate park community ahead of the event for input on the designs to be created. Guided by the professional artists on the day, the participants played an active role in bringing the skate park to life, leaving behind vibrant artworks they can proudly call their own.

  • In 2025, we have asked for volunteers to help us cut and collect the meadow in Mill Lane.  Previously, the meadow has been cut and the cuttings left in place, but after a trial of the cut and collect method on part of the meadow, it was found that the wild flowers there thrived.  To complete this for the entire meadow, we need some help! We have appealed for volunteers to help us collect the cuttings, and with luck the the wild flowers in the meadow will benefit for the enjoyment of everyone in 2026.

  • In Spring 2023, we appealed for residents to sign up to Essex County Council's salt bag scheme.  Volunteers were needed to collect, store, and when the time came spread the salt to assist with clearing the snow from Witham's paths.  Volunteers of the popular scheme were given advice on the best method of snow clearance.​

Witham Town Council launched a petition in Summer 2024 opposing the charges intended to be implemented by the North Essex Parking Partnership (NEPP)

The North Essex Parking Partnership (NEPP) intend to convert current free parking spaces in Newland Street to paid ones, which Witham Town Council has taken action in actively opposing.

The Town Council has argued that because the use of these spaces will be no different, converting free spaces to charged will do nothing to reduce congestion, nor will it improve air quality. 

They have raised concerns that access to services will be adversely affected, as will be the economic vitality and vibrancy of the Town Centre and Newland Street. As well as this, that the electronic payment system will have an adverse impact on those who do not have electronic payment abilities. 

The Council has therefore opposed the NEPP’s proposed new charges, as they fail to meet the Partnership’s Policy framework. There has been no evidence shown, particularly with regard to the economic vitality and vibrancy of Witham’s Town Centre and Newland Street that any research has been undertaken to demonstrate that the net income increase in charges will not be adversely offset by the reduction in economic activity from the Town Centre and High Street traders.​

This petition is now closed and has been submitted.

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Also in 2024, Witham Town Council conducted a petition and also held a public consultation about the proposed closure of St Peters Hospital in Maldon.

The 150-year-old hospital building is set to close permanently and its services moved under plans to reallocate community inpatient beds.

If St Peters closes there will be changes to the places where community hospital intermediate care and stroke rehabilitation services are provided, resulting in residents having to travel to Brentwood or Billericay to receive stroke services.

This will also make permanent the temporary move of the freestanding midwife-led birthing unit from St Peter’s Hospital, Maldon, to the William Julien Courtauld Unit at St Michael’s, Braintree, an already strained facility, so many residents will have to go to Broomfield Hospital.

Currently there are no plans as to where outpatient services, such as blood testing will go. If services end up at Broomfield Hospital, Witham residents who do not drive will have to get three buses to get to the Hospital or pay for a taxi service.

After a petition, Witham Town Council held a public consultation at New Rickstones Academy on Monday 11th March 2024. A representative from the Alliance Director of NHS mid and South Essex Daniel Doherty, attended to answer any questions.

Members of the public were encouraged to attend and participate to ensure Witham has its say regarding the closure and to demonstrate the Town Council’s concerns, regarding the lack of existing medical facilities in the Town and how the closure would further exacerbate this problem.

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