IT has been said that politicians need to have thick skins, and over the past few weeks, I have certainly begun to see why. When we put ourselves forward for public service, of course we expect to be questioned, quizzed and challenged; that’s part and parcel of representing the best interests of the public, but unfortunately it also sometimes means having to make difficult and unpopular decisions.

The recent closure of a patch of common land to vehicles by New Road in Kendal has been one of those decisions. For some time this land had been used for unofficial and unregulated parking.

I and my colleagues were presented with a report from SLDC officers indicating that parking on common land at New Road was unsafe, unlawful and uninsurable. However, it was clearly useful to many visitors and residents. So we were stuck between the proverbial rock and hard place.

Unfortunately, on reviewing evidence, we had no choice but to close the area to parking. We have, however, attempted to make the transition as easy as possible by providing alternative affordable car parking in Kendal.

Whilst I was expecting opposition to this difficult decision, I was not prepared for the somewhat distressing personal invective, particularly through social media. Perhaps keyboard warriors forget that there is a real person at the receiving end. We have tried to be open and honest about the situation we found ourselves in. We have made relevant documents available and have organised public meetings; from which we have listened and acted upon (by providing alternative parking, amending the process and by allowing the fair to remain on the area).

Yet, despite this, I and my colleagues have been called all sorts of names. Certainly I have felt a sense of intimidation as I believe have other members of the public who are in support of the changes. We seem to have reached an unpleasant tipping point in democratic debate and I can only hope that our future discussions about these and other civic matters will be more respectful and the passion that is clearly out there can be harnessed to the benefit of all of us.