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A raft of measures which will bring greater consistency in car parking charges across the county will also raise funds to boost the county’s Community Transport initiative.
The proposed changes to parking charges, which are planned to come into effect later this year, will raise an extra £45,000 for Community Transport and an extra £15,000 to pay for the replacement of aging pay and display equipment.
Among the package of measures which have been proposed by Cllr Mike Wilson, Cabinet Member (Highways and Transportation) are:
· Introduce a rate of 50p for the first half hour and £1 for the first hour at Hereford’s Gaol Street, Garrick/Blackfriars (surface not multi storey), West Street and Greyfriars car parks (previously 50p for one hour)
· Increase of 10p per hour at Hereford’s Cattle Market car park
· Reduce the maximum stay at Hereford’s Maylord Orchards from five to four hours at 70p per hour for the first two hours
· Introduction of parking charges at Leominster’s Etnam Street car park (starting at 20p for one hour with a three-hour time limit for parking)
· Introduction of parking charges in Kington’s Mill Street car park (starting at 20p for one hour)
· Slight rise in charges at Ross-on-Wye’s Homs Road, King Acre and Kyrle Street car parks
· Bromyard to retain its three free car parks – the Bay Horse, Hop Pole and Rowberry Street car parks
· Bring residents parking scheme permit charges in line across the county over three years – Ross-on-Wye and Bromyard charges to rise by £5 to £15 this year
“The current system of parking charges is grossly unfair – many motorists in particular areas of the county have been effectively subsidising other motorists who have either been paying little or nothing for the privilege of being able to leave their car in a city or town centre car park,” said Cllr Wilson.
He spent several hours on Wednesday this week (September 17) sharing his proposals with fellow Herefordshire Councillors before firming up his proposals.
“It’s not been an easy task. Motorists feel they have a right to leave their car for free as close to the shops as possible.
“In this day and age when we need to consider the environment more than ever this simply can’t happen. This authority has a duty to maintain a fair parking charge policy across the whole of Herefordshire which, while not discouraging shoppers from visiting our many unique town centres, encourages them to use more environmentally friendly public transport.
“These changes also take into account the need to encourage a quick turnover at certain car parks – again, this is to allow more motorists to make use of the somewhat limited number of car parking spaces available.
“I’m aware that these proposals will be unpopular to some motorists, but under the Council’s Parking Strategy we have a commitment to tailor them to our best advantage and review charges annually - it’s been two years since the charges were last increased. These changes will ultimately benefit our local communities.
“The new charges I’m proposing will still leave us competitively priced compared to our neighbouring towns and cities – which is an important element when tempting in new shoppers to the county.”
He added that some of the extra income generated by the changes in charges will be used to improve sustainable travel modes – such as community transport.
“The Community Transport initiative will benefit to the tune of £15,000. This will help offset a potential loss in grants the Council receives. This funding is used to help local projects such as Wheels to Work run by Voluntary Action in Leominster, Bromyard Community Transport, Dore Community Transport (Golden Valley), Ross Country Cars and North and South Herefordshire Transport Sharing Schemes.
“These are all important schemes providing a vital link for the residents of our rural communities who do not have ready access to a car.”
Parking Charges Review
A raft of measures which will bring greater consistency in car parking charges across the county will also raise funds to boost the county’s Community Transport initiative.
The proposed changes to parking charges, which are planned to come into effect later this year, will raise an extra £45,000 for Community Transport and an extra £15,000 to pay for the replacement of aging pay and display equipment.
Among the package of measures which have been proposed by Cllr Mike Wilson, Cabinet Member (Highways and Transportation) are:
· Introduce a rate of 50p for the first half hour and £1 for the first hour at Hereford’s Gaol Street, Garrick/Blackfriars (surface not multi storey), West Street and Greyfriars car parks (previously 50p for one hour)
· Increase of 10p per hour at Hereford’s Cattle Market car park
· Reduce the maximum stay at Hereford’s Maylord Orchards from five to four hours at 70p per hour for the first two hours
· Introduction of parking charges at Leominster’s Etnam Street car park (starting at 20p for one hour with a three-hour time limit for parking)
· Introduction of parking charges in Kington’s Mill Street car park (starting at 20p for one hour)
· Slight rise in charges at Ross-on-Wye’s Homs Road, King Acre and Kyrle Street car parks
· Bromyard to retain its three free car parks – the Bay Horse, Hop Pole and Rowberry Street car parks
· Bring residents parking scheme permit charges in line across the county over three years – Ross-on-Wye and Bromyard charges to rise by £5 to £15 this year
“The current system of parking charges is grossly unfair – many motorists in particular areas of the county have been effectively subsidising other motorists who have either been paying little or nothing for the privilege of being able to leave their car in a city or town centre car park,” said Cllr Wilson.
He spent several hours on Wednesday this week (September 17) sharing his proposals with fellow Herefordshire Councillors before firming up his proposals.
“It’s not been an easy task. Motorists feel they have a right to leave their car for free as close to the shops as possible.
“In this day and age when we need to consider the environment more than ever this simply can’t happen. This authority has a duty to maintain a fair parking charge policy across the whole of Herefordshire which, while not discouraging shoppers from visiting our many unique town centres, encourages them to use more environmentally friendly public transport.
“These changes also take into account the need to encourage a quick turnover at certain car parks – again, this is to allow more motorists to make use of the somewhat limited number of car parking spaces available.
“I’m aware that these proposals will be unpopular to some motorists, but under the Council’s Parking Strategy we have a commitment to tailor them to our best advantage and review charges annually - it’s been two years since the charges were last increased. These changes will ultimately benefit our local communities.
“The new charges I’m proposing will still leave us competitively priced compared to our neighbouring towns and cities – which is an important element when tempting in new shoppers to the county.”
He added that some of the extra income generated by the changes in charges will be used to improve sustainable travel modes – such as community transport.
“The Community Transport initiative will benefit to the tune of £15,000. This will help offset a potential loss in grants the Council receives. This funding is used to help local projects such as Wheels to Work run by Voluntary Action in Leominster, Bromyard Community Transport, Dore Community Transport (Golden Valley), Ross Country Cars and North and South Herefordshire Transport Sharing Schemes.
“These are all important schemes providing a vital link for the residents of our rural communities who do not have ready access to a car.”