A NEWPORT man has raised questions over differences in loading zone times across Williamstown.
Loading zone restrictions range from 15 minutes between 9am-5pm to signs with no time limit in the same street.
Ray Lindner, who has lived and shopped in the area for 16 years, noticed the variations after his wife received her first parking infringement in more than 30 years of driving.
Mr Lindner said most parking restriction times in loading zones in the commercial area of Williamstown were 9am-5pm with a 15-minute limit, but the rest were “confusing, to say the least”.
For example, 15-minute restrictions during business hours apply outside women’s clothing stores, Cocoa Latte cafe and the Rose Hotel in Ferguson Street. But Pickle Barrel and Ferguson Provisions cafes in Ferguson Street have 15-minute loading zones from 6am-10am.
Gift shops and Ferguson Plarre bakery in Douglas Parade have a 15-minute limit from 9am-5pm. Vintage Cellars bottle shop in Ferguson Street has a 7am-1pm loading zone with no restrictions on parking time. Victoria Hotel in Douglas Parade, Neo Skin and Bottle ‘O’ in Douglas Parade have untimed loading zones.
Mr Lindner said he had observed six different loading zone rules in the heart of Williamstown’s shopping and restaurant precinct. “Some restrictions are Monday to Friday, two are Monday to Saturday, while others appear to be 24 hours a day and seven days a week.”
Hobsons Bay business and finance director Glenn O’Sullivan said 30-minute restrictions applied
when no time limit was stated.
“All loading zones were subject of requests from their local community prior to installation.” Zones had different restrictions depending on a business’s needs and demand for parking spaces, he said.
