Torridge car park fees could rise
TORRIDGE District Council is reviewing its car park charges across the district.
The council, which last increased its charges in 2006, is looking at its pricing scheme which could lead to some increases in March, 2010.
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Torridge District Council
Proposals include an additional 10p increase on the hourly charges at short stay car parks.
The new rate would mean charges of 90p per hour in the main Bideford car parks at Riverbank, Bridge Street, The Quay, The Pill, Manor and the slipway. The same charge would apply during the summer months at Westward Ho!.
These car parks would have options of 30p for 30 minutes compared to the current charge of 30p for 20 minutes.
The 10p increase, which will bring the Torridge rate in line with neighbouring car parks in Barnstaple, would give the council an additional expected income of £39,188.
Long stay car parks across the district would also see a rise in charges.
Car parks at Riverbank, Honestone Street and Clarence Wharf in Bideford; Bone Hill in Northam; Barley Grove, School Lane and Sydney House in Torrington; West Appledore, Churchfields and Odun Road in Appledore; Holsworthy Manor and at Westward Ho! during the winter would go up to 60p per hour.
In these car parks the two-hour charge would be abolished and there would be no change to four-hour, all-day and all-week parking prices which currently stand at £1.50, £2.50 and £15 respectively.
An existing charge of 20p for 20 minutes would be scrapped in favour of 30p for 30 minutes.
The changes for the long stay car parks are expected to bring in an additional £32,410 to the council.
A 3% increase is recommended for business, seasonal and residents permits.
Yearly business permits would be increased by £8 to £258; seasonal tickets would have a £9 rise to £309 and residents would see a £2 jump to £54.
The council's policy, performance and resources committee heard the recommendations for charges and will meet again on Monday, December 7 for further discussions.
In the council's report it states: "The annual review of parking charges has to reconcile the need to generate car park revenue with the often competing demands of business, tourism and more recently the downturn in the economy.
"The main thrust of this review is to consolidate our present position with a view to providing a sustainable and successful customer-focused service."
Since the council's last review of charges in 2006 it has put £1 per day car parks in each of the principle towns; extended 20 minute charging; reduced the cost of season and business tickets; introduced residents' and tourist permits; achieved two safe parking awards and introduced cashless parking.
11 Comments
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by Appledore Resident, Appledore
Friday, December 04 2009, 2:55PM
“The car parks in Appledore are avoided by visitors as long as they can park along the quay causing congestion and taking up spaces residents need for parking their cars. Visitor day/weekly car parking prices should be reasonable in order to encourage visitors to use the council car parks Notices along the quay stating resident parking only with residents displaying annual permit, costing no more than £10. If you pay Full council tax then there should be residential parking provision available in residential areas. Shops need allocations outside to encourage visitors. Visitors staying in the town, including holiday house owners who do not pay full council tax should be directed to park in the car parks. It is blatently obvious that raising the price of car parking will only exacerbate the situation.”
by David Smith, Holsworthy
Wednesday, November 25 2009, 3:04PM
“At the meeting of Torridge DC Policy Performance& Resources Committe on 26 October, I pointed out that the increased revenue from the longstay car parks was £32K, of which £10K would come from Holsworthy. I attempted to explain (obviously unsatisfactorally) that this indicated that TDC parking charges appeared to be loaded against the interests of Holsworthy and that there should be a major rethink of the "one size fits all" philosophy. I hope that individual councillors, regardless of their political persuasion or geographical location, will give serious consideration to the unfair application of these increases.”
by Elizabeth, Bideford
Wednesday, November 18 2009, 10:41PM
“I must admit I am one of those people that hardly shop in town now because of the parking fees, I agree with all the comments made so far, what are the council members going to do with all this extra money, Oh of course give themselves another pay rise.!”
by HS, Bideford
Wednesday, November 18 2009, 8:42PM
“Are the Council Stupid - Do they want to kill the town completely. Good businesses have already been forced to re-locate - bring back the FREE parking after 4pm to encourage families to come to town after school, Free on Saturdays. It is time TDC woke up in the real world and began to help it traders in town. Another thing they seriously want to look at are the Civil Enforcement Officers who appear to be on a bonus for how many customers they can upset the town in one day!! What do we pay our taxes for ?
Give Bideford a Chance - FREE Parking for the Month of December encourage people to use the town not AVOID the town.”
by Voice of Reason, North Devon
Wednesday, November 18 2009, 3:51PM
“The same silly council decisions are being made in the whole area
Combe Martin, Ilfracombe, Barnstaple . Short sighted and detrimental to local business and tourism.
WAKE UP you silly councillors-
Put a voting paper in the NDJ or or online - have a vote on the 10p decision before you try and implement it...”