Gia Borg-Darcy, the Chessington-based tutor and mother who led a 1,200-signature petition against the borough's parking fee increases, says the response from Kingston Council has left her determined to continue pushing for fairness, transparency, and a meaningful consultation.

Speaking to Kingston Nub News after debating the matter at a Full Council meeting on 8 July, Borg-Darcy said: "I am happy we got the 30-minute free parking back. But the fact is – that is not enough. They need to have a consultation and a proper discussion with us."

Following the debate, Kingston Council decided to reinstate 30-minute free parking across the borough, but Borg-Darcy was frustrated not just with the outcome of the debate, but also with the tone of it.

Gia Borg-Darcy is the lead petitioner (Credit: Gia Borg-Darcy)

"It was a bit strange," she said.

"They (the councillors) were looking at the mayor, so they had their backs to the people talking. Although some of them turned to listen to what I had to say, not everyone did."

She left the meeting halfway through the debate, alongside several supporters, after what she described as a patronising comment from a councillor.

"I was not there to have someone being patronising," she said.

"I was there to find a constructive solution for everyone."

Since the meeting, Borg-Darcy has sent a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to the council, asking for information behind the decision-making process on the parking fee increases.

The request asks for disclosure on Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) banding structures, reasons for removing flexible payment options, and discrepancies between car park and pay-and-display pricing.

"We want to understand the logic behind what they have done," she said.

She is also concerned by what she describes as a lack of meaningful public consultation, calling for a comprehensive consultation open to all small businesses and affected residents.

"They kept it hush – It needs to be publicised within the wards, like they did when they had the consultation for the new recycling bins," she said.

Borg-Darcy is not calling for free parking across the board, but she is asking for a more balanced approach.

"We need to get one hour free to support little businesses that do really need the footfall," she said.

"Elmbridge, one of our neighbouring boroughs, has three hours free parking by small shops, they have specific bays that support them."

Borg-Darcy has promised she will keep the public informed through regular updates on social media, and she is also considering launching a petition to the UK Parliament to raise awareness on the effect of drastic price increases on small businesses and vulnerable groups.

"They (the councillors) work for us residents, not the other way around," she said.

"They were elected to be our conduits, so they need to go back to their basics and understand that they need to have a consultation with us."

She is still waiting for a response from the council regarding a consultation process, but she is not giving up.

"I will not stop until I get the one hour outside at least public houses and small businesses that are struggling free and a review of their prices," she said.