THOUSANDS more motorists could face paying to park. The States yesterday overwhelmingly rejected the Environment Department’s recommendation that paid parking should not be extended further than the long-term spaces in Town.

It now has to again report back on the issue.

With 29 deputies against its report this time, there appeared to be a clear message that the House wanted equality by including long-term spaces at places such as Beau Sejour, Frossard House and the Princess Elizabeth Hospital.

But Environment minister David De Lisle later denied the States’ decision meant paid parking outside Town was inevitable.

‘I have a responsibility to effect the will of the House and take its will forward,’ he said.

‘We have to re-evaluate what we’ve done and come out with a full review of the document.’

Deputy Environment minister Janine Le Sauvage, a strong supporter of the polluter-pays principle, was concerned that the department would not have the resources to complete a second report with different recommendations.

‘It has put us in an impossible position,’ she said.

‘Our staff have advised us and we followed. We may have to return to the States with a resolution to ask for extra funding to carry out another report.’

Deputy De Lisle said it was a matter to be discussed with the board, but he emphasised that staff were already stretched in trying to bring existing paid-parking plans into force.

He added that Deputy Al Brouard’s amendment to scrap paid parking altogether, which was lost 23 votes to 20, had not been put forward as part of the debate on the report.

‘I think it took the focus off the report in some ways,’ he said.

‘It took the debate in a different direction.’

Deputy Brouard said he had tried the best he could.

He wanted a 1.2p per litre rise in fuel duty instead of the 15p per hour charge for parking to pay for the traffic strategy.

When asked where this left the issue of paid parking, he replied:

‘That’s exactly why I brought the amendment.

‘This is like Pandora’s box and a running sore combined.’