Articles that prove parking charges & fines affect High St footfall Pt 2

[Web Admin]

Cardigan traders want free parking to boost business

Traders experienced a boom in business when the parking machines were out of order

A protest has been held in a bid to secure free parking in a Ceredigion market town.

Around 40 traders and shoppers marched through the centre of Cardigan on Wednesday calling for two hours of free parking for visitors.

Local shops said their trade increased by up to 20% last year when parking machines in the town's four car parks were vandalised and out of use.

Ceredigion council said parking charges must be "consistent" in all towns.


A candlelit vigil was held outside the Guildhall by small business owners and local people who support the free parking campaign

The march was led by the chairman of Cardigan Traders, Martyn Radley, who has called on Ceredigion council to give local traders "a level playing field" with out-of-town businesses.

Ceredigion council said the matter had been discussed and the view is that "parking charges must be applied consistently across all towns within Ceredigion".

The council added the charges are necessary both in terms of covering the cost of providing car parking facilities and helping to meet the "extraordinary financial pressures" facing the authority.

Traders have vowed to continue their campaign for free parking.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-mid-wales-36275805

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[The Bald Eagle]

If parking charges have no effect on footfall, why is this council
suspending its charges on the premise it will support local business?

[The Bald Eagle]

These examples are not so much proof, as admissions that many councils, businesses, ordinary citizens, and even politicians hold an honest belief that parking charges DO affect High Street footfall.

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Major changes announced for car park charges for coast and wolds


Car parking changes will come into place in summer in Lincolnshire towns

Car parking changes could boost local business in some Lincolnshire towns.

East Lindsey District Council has announced the new arrangements will come into effect this summer.

The council's executive board has agreed a new car parking policy for the district, which aims to increase footfall on the high streets and encourage shoppers to stay for longer.

The plans will be monitored over a 12-month trial period, during which time the council has committed to no overnight charges on any of its car parks.

It is hoped to attract shoppers who can relax a little more when visiting towns within the district.

The policy was developed following a review of car parking data, consultation with local people and visitors and discussions with town and parish councils.

A statement said: "The newly approved policy moves away from the previous 'one size fits all' district-wide approach to car parking, and to a position where the car parking arrangements in each town reflect local trading conditions.

"The policy recognises the importance of car parking income to fund services provided to residents by the district council."

The changes to be introduced include:

Alford – 30 minutes free ticketed parking in Market Square.

Horncastle – 30 minutes free ticketed parking in Market Place.

Louth – 30 minutes free ticketed parking in Market Place car park and reduced tariffs for stays of longer than two hours.

Mablethorpe – greater choice of tariffs.

Skegness – greater choice of tariffs and new trial of pay on exit machines on the Festival Car Park.

Spilsby – one hour free ticketed parking on all Council owned car parks.

Before the new arrangements can be introduced, the council must publish a formal notification for a period of 28 days.

The council cannot yet confirm the precise date the changes will be implemented.

Users of the council's car parks are asked to keep an eye on the information boards in the car parks for the latest information.

Regular users of the council's car parks are also reminded that they can purchase car parking permits, which provide significant reductions on the regular car parking tariffs.

http://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/major-changes-announced-for-car-park-charges-for-coast-and-wolds/story-30282498-detail/story.html


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http://www.transportxtra.com/magazines/local_transport_today/news/?id=38882&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Town centre parking charges axed

St Helens Council on Merseyside has scrapped on- and off-street parking charges in the town centre on Saturdays for a year-long trial that aims to boost the struggling retail economy.

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http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/11419636.Northallerton_traders__39__delight_as_council_offers_free_car_parking/?ref=twtrec

The authority's deputy leader, Councillor Peter Wilkinson, said the move was a response to concerns over the cost of car parking in the town. He said: “There have been more complaints since North Yorkshire County Council introduced charges on the High Street and the suggested loss of trade as a result of this.

"We have decided to act to help redress this situation and hope that this – coupled with free parking Thursdays throughout December in Hambleton District Council’s car parks in the run up to Christmas – will help boost the economy of the town.”

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http://www.chesterfirst.co.uk/news/137977/chester-car-park-will-now-be-free-on-sundays.aspx#.VA_-lDKx7_Q.twitter

Chester Race Company, who own the car park, said they agreed to the move after speaking to traders on Watergate Street. Chester Race Company CEO, Richard Thomas, said: “We continously liaise with retailers in the city centre on how the Race Company can assist the local retail economy. This decision was prompted by a request from the traders on Watergate Street and we are very happy to meet this request.

“We believe opening Linenhall car park will assist in drawing consumers into the city centre.”

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http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Park-pay-later-town-centre/story-20857421-detail/story.html

Pay-in-advance parking has been scrapped in a town car park to try to boost the town's economy.

Drivers using the Granby Street car park, in Loughborough, will now pay for how long they have stayed, rather than buying time in advance.

Charnwood Borough Council said it wanted to prevent drivers getting fines for overstaying and to bring the set up into line with the multi-storey Beehive Lane car park.

Jane Hunt, council cabinet member for regulatory services, said: "We are committed to helping the borough grow and prosper and this transformation has been designed after listening to our market traders, shopkeepers, Loughborough Business Improvement District (BID) and residents.

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http://www.limerickleader.ie/news/business/business-news/moves-toward-free-parking-in-limerick-city-approved-1-6302005#.VBnb0f2a3JQ.twitter

METROPOLITAN councillors in Limerick have formally passed plans for free parking in the city centre in a bid to boost flagging trade.

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Wolverhampton - Kim Gilmour, operations director at WV One, said the cut to parking costs would encourage more people back into the city centre.

http://www.expressandstar.com/news/local-news/2014/10/06/parking-charges-halved-and-sundays-offered-free-in-new-plan/?

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Council chiefs say the ‘Free after Three’ initiative has been introduced to support town centre businesses and traders and give shoppers a little extra Christmas cheer.

http://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/business/free-parking-plan-for-south-shields-christmas-shoppers-1-6905174

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Cllr Hebb says “I was opposed to this land sale in the strongest possible sense, and now here we are fighting off car-parking charges which will cripple the Stanford community.

"I hope that the new landowner have the courtesy to reimburse every wrong paid-for car parking charge to residents who have unfairly been asked to pay them!”

“We will fight any car-parking charges which could negatively impact on our much loved shops”.

http://www.yourthurrock.com/Thurrock-Council-threaten-court-action-Stanford/story-24447459-detail/story.html

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Welcoming the move Cllr John Paul O'Shea said it would help provide a timely boost for the local economy.

http://www.independent.ie/regionals/corkman/news/free-hour-parking-for-shoppers-in-mallow-during-december-30739956.html

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Private carpark owners have joined with the local authority to promote Christmas and New Year shopping in the city centre by reducing parking rates and making special offers.

http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/limerick-begin-parking-initiative-for-festive-season-652137.html#.VHMODKEKGH8.twitter

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http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/local-news/parking-fees-plea-to-keep-6322651

Businesses have urged a council to reduce parking charges in Egham town centre as they attempt to arrest a worrying dip in trade.

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http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/11026171.Taxpayers_face___1_5m_bill_as_parking_dispute_goes_to_High_Court/?ref=twtrec

Town hall bosses claimed NCP’s prices were having a detrimental effect on Worthing’s economy,...

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“As much as I would love to be able to support our high street our council needs to help small businesses instead of driving potential clients away with extortionate parking charges and eager parking attendants."

http://www.kentonline.co.uk/sittingbourne/news/high-street-extortion-29886/


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The spaces have been created thanks to Purley BID, which worked with Croydon South MP Chris Philp, local councillors and council officers who met to discuss the problems in September. Mr Cripps said: "This is a huge win for all the businesses and shoppers of Purley and could not have been achieved without the great collaboration of the business community, local politicians and the council themselves."

But there is still more work to be done to improve parking in the town, Mr Philp added.

"It's a strong step in the right direction," he said. "It's very clear that parking [problems] in and around the High Street and Brighton Road are damaging businesses." The three spaces near Sainsbury's have a one-hour maximum stay. The two spaces outside Boots have a single yellow line waiting restriction from 7am to 9am, Monday to Friday.

http://www.croydonadvertiser.co.uk/Law-stops-council-using-CCTV-parking-fines/story-26721671-detail/story.html

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http://www.northwichguardian.co.uk/news/13382881.Council_wants_action_on_parking/?ref=twtrec

"The initiative started as a trial last August but has proved so popular Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council are keen to carry it on"

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http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/14149713.New__Pay_by_Phone__scheme_reduces_amount_of_parking_tickets_issued/?ref=twtrec

" There will be no car parking charges on Saturdays before Christmas at all Rochford District Council car parks.

The usual fees will be waived on Saturday, December 19 to help support businesses and residents to shop locally."

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http://www.times-series.co.uk/news/14166387.Bah_humbug__Driver_caught_out_during_free_Christmas_parking_period/?ref=twtrec

He says he was completely unaware of the initiative, which took place on the weekends leading up to Christmas in a bid to boost trade.


Traders Marcy Luzikova and Paul Dresner with cllr Dean Cohen promoting the free Christmas parking

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Parking charges cut in Denbigh in support of local businesses

Published date: 05 August 2016

Denbighshire County Council, Denbigh Business Group and Denbigh Town Council are working closely together to slash the price of parking in Denbigh.

The decision has been made to amend parking charges in the busiest two shoppers’ car parks to support small businesses in the local area after listening to their concerns.

Councillor David Smith, Cabinet Leader for the Public Realm, explained: “Over the past few weeks, Denbighshire County Council and Denbigh Town Council have been working closely together to monitor the impact of the parking charge increase.

"Having looked at the particular circumstances in Denbigh, we were able to make some changes and the Town Council have also stepped in to subsidise a further reduction in parking charges. As part of this joint working, we are doing our best to support local businesses and have listened to their concerns.

“We have identified a number of improvements to parking within the Town Centre which are, firstly, the creation of 9 free parking spaces within Factory Ward Car Park. These spaces will be monitored by the enforcement team and will consist of 7 standard spaces and 2 disabled spaces.

There is a maximum stay of 1 hour for the standard spaces and 2 hours for the disabled spaces to encourage turnover and thus increase the availability of the spaces for visitors to the Town.

“We are also pleased to announce that from the 1st September, the parking charges in Factory Ward Car Park will change to Long Stay car park rates, meaning that the cost to park will be reduced by up to half.”

Parking charges in Factory Ward car park will be amended to long stay rates with reduced charges of £1.50 for 3 hours and an all-day parking cost of £3.50. The current 30 minute and 1 hour tariffs will remain the same at 30p for 30 minutes, £1.00 for 1 hour.

Permit holders will continue to be able to use their permits to park in the Multi Storey car park opposite Factory Ward.

On the 1st September, Parking charges in Vale Street car park will have a new subsidised rate of £1 for 2 hours, this change is being subsidised by Denbigh Town Council.

The changes in tariff will come into effect from 1st September at the Factory Ward Car Park and Vale Street Car Park. The creation of 9 free parking spaces within the Factory Ward Car Park is effective immediately.

http://www.denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/165174/parking-charges-cut-in-denbigh-in-support-of-local-businesses.aspx


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http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/business/local-business/6m-car-park-running-on-empty-1-6498199

Council chiefs have been forced to slash charges at a multi-million pound car park – because not enough drivers are using it.

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http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/news/11180213.New_parking_restrictions_are_killing_our_High_Road__say_Tottenham_traders/

New parking restrictions are killing our High Road, say Tottenham traders...

...traders say that, since the controlled parking zones (CPZs) were introduced, their revenue has declined...

...“The council is killing off the High Road – this is not helping small businesses. We rejected the idea during the consultation but they don’t seem to be taking any notice.”

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[The Bald Eagle]

Even the ex Prime Minister thought that parking affected footfall

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Prime Minister backs cutting parking charges in Wiltshire market towns

 THE Prime Minister has said that parking charges in market town’s like Chippenham or Melksham should be made easier to boost trade.

Mr Cameron was speaking in response to Chippenham MP Michelle Donelan's first question at Prime Minister's Questions yesterday.

Ms Donelan did need a little bit of help from speaker John Bercow who had to call for order after Ms Donelan was interrupted after blaming declining market town high streets on "years of Labour neglect".

The Conservative MP asked what support Prime Minister David Cameron could offer the market towns of Chippenham, Melksham, Corsham and Bradford on Avon.

In response, Mr Cameron said: “I do know her constituency well and spent a lot of time there with her before the election.

“What I would say to her is that the offer of devolution is not limited to cities, we’re just as open to proposals from towns, counties and districts.

“What we need to help our high streets is a strong economy, to press ahead with local plans, to deregulation of the class orders which sometimes prevent redevelopment taking place and I would also argue in the case of market towns we should making parking easier and preferably free.”


http://www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk/news/13377350.Prime_Minister_backs_cutting_parking_charges_in_Wiltshire_market_towns/

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[Web Admin]

The Welsh town that’s thinking of scrapping pedestrianisation

There was once a big rush to pedestrianise everywhere - but one town is now thinking of turning back the clock

By Lewis Smith Local Democracy Reporter
11:57, 29 APR 2023


Bridgend town centre which could be de-pedestrianised (Image: Lewis Smith)

At one time, everything was being pedestrianised. If traffic could be banned, it was being, to create havens for those on foot to roam about as they pleased.

But a number of places, particularly in the valleys of south Wales, are now starting to feel as though they might not have seen all the benefits they were once promised from this popular trend.

One of those places is the town of Bridgend, where a number of streets were pedestrianised in 2004, leading to claims from traders of a drop-off in footfall in the years since.

Pedestrianisation is the process of converting a street or public area into a place for pedestrian use only, with the aim of improving safety, reducing pollution, and promoting walking by making it more appealing to members of the public.

Even though it is seen as being largely beneficial for urban town centres to undergo this process, others claim there are also many downsides, particularly for shop owners who currently face increased competition from on-line shopping and the rise of out-of-town shopping parks which are more accessible for cars.

It's an issue that led to questions at the local authority's full council meeting this month, with independent councillor Tim Wood asking for an update on long-standing proposals to partially de-pedestrianise Bridgend town centre, in a move that he and others believe could increase footfall to the town.

He said: "During recent years BCBC has expended a significant sum of public money, firstly holding a consultation then a report and investigation process into opening a small portion of Bridgend town centre back open to traffic.

"This consultation back in 2016 had the highest public engagement in the history of this council and the public were resounding in their backing of this partial re-opening of the town centre. So will the cabinet member for regeneration detail to me their plans to make Bridgend town centre accessible to all?"

Chief executive of Bridgend Council, Mark Shephard, responded to this by saying that options were currently being considered for Bridgend town centre that balanced feasibility and affordability.

He said: "A number of things have changed since 2016, not least Welsh Government planning policy. I think this has undoubtedly made it more difficult but not impossible to do what was originally surveyed, but I think the commitment has been given that we are currently exploring what options may still be feasible."

However, some business owners in the area, such as Matthew Davies of William and Evans Mens-wear, believe it is crucially important that the council find a way to make this happen now.

He said: "I think de-pedestrianisation here would be the most positive thing that Bridgend Council could possibly do for the town. We've been here for 123 years, and my late brother who ran the store before me said from the day pedestrianisation happened you could see the business start to drop off.

"I think every shop in Bridgend would say the same as it makes it more difficult for people to come in to town and it doesn't really help them at all. At the moment you can't drive in to town between 10am and 6pm and I think if we could get it partially opened back up it would be a huge benefit for all of us."


Steve Watkins is a business owner in Bridgend (Image: Lewis Smith)

Steve Watkins also owns an independent Men's-wear store in Bridgend and says there needs to be a more balanced approach when it comes to pedestrianisation in the town.

He said: "This is long overdue, and the partial de-pedestrianisation of Bridgend town centre to help ease of access would be the shot in the arm that we need to get regeneration moving here. People just have less time these days and they want more convenience and the ability to pop into town, park outside for 20 minutes to pick something up, and then shoot off again.

"Because of the nature of the town centre in Bridgend as well with the river running behind, there's no access from this one side of the town. It's not that traders here are against pedestrianised areas but we want them to get the balance right, so there can continue to be pedestrianised areas as well as access to help regenerate this part of the town."

Saman Sedik runs a small grocery store and agrees the partial de-pedestrianisation of the town centre could also provide a big boost to his business.

He said: "In the time I've been here the footfall has definitely dropped off, so if by looking at the situation we can make things better then I think that's what we have to do. It would be really good for me, especially with deliveries and getting things in to the store. At the moment it can be very difficult to do that as the barriers don't open until after six and by then it isn't possible for many of the deliveries to be made.

"For the public as well, I think they would much prefer to drive in closer to the shops when they want to come to town, especially when the weather is bad and they don't want to walk. There's plenty of space to park outside so I think it would be a good thing for everyone."


Daniel Ralph, left, and Phil Maddocks (Image: Lewis Smith)

Phil Maddocks is the owner of a craft beer shop, and says he would welcome any report on the issue as he doesn't see too many negatives in opening the roadways back up.

He said: "For me on a personal level I don't think it would increase footfall for me and my business because of where we're located on the corner of the main road, though I think it could potentially do that for other businesses further into town, allowing the older clients to come in without having to walk from car parks. In any case I don't think it would make footfall decrease, and I know some of the delivery boys who come here have had tickets so in terms of that it would make everyone's lives easier."

A further report on the matter is now expected to be delivered to Bridgend Council during the summer of 2023, though it has been noted that with changes to Welsh government policies to prioritise active travel routes, finding funding for any de-pedestrianisation in the town could be difficult.

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/welsh-town-thats-thinking-scrapping-26807762

[The Bald Eagle]

Southend evening parking charge could be scrapped by summer break

Southend Council plans to scrap or suspend evening parking charges in time for the summer holidays

By Rachael McMenemy and Christine Sexton - 13 June 2023
BBC News and Local Democracy Reporting Service

Parking charges could be scrapped in time for the school summer holidays, Southend Council has announced.

The Conservative administration is honouring a pledge to scrap an 18:00 to 21:00 parking charge, over fears it would hit seafront traders and deter visitors.

The council said it expected the charges to be removed or suspended by the beginning of the school holidays.

It was previously free to park in the area after 18:00.

Plans to introduce a charge for parking in several of the city's parks are also being shelved, reports the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Kevin Buck, councillor responsible for highways, transport and parking, said: "There's a legal process that has to be gone through to remove them completely but what we can do as a local authority is introduce a temporary suspension to the charges while the final process is completed."

Work is also under way to end a 10p administration charge for using the Mobon parking app to stay in the city's car parks.

Mr Buck said: "That's still being worked on and the intention is that will go at some point as soon as we can."

The council is set to create more than 100 new parking spaces, including some free ones in roads off the High Street.

Mr Buck said these would help to offset any potential losses from the scrapped charges.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-65808246