Traders call for parking rethink
Last updated at 14:44, Tuesday, 14 October 2008
TRADERS in Barrow are asking councillors to have a rethink before agreeing to plans to shake up the town’s parking.
The executive committee of Barrow Borough Council will meet tomorrow afternoon to discuss plans to alter parking provision.
One part of the plan is to introduce a flat fee on all short stay car parks of £1.60 for up to three hours.
This will push the existing price for an hour up from 90p but lower the cost of parking for three hours from the current £2.70.
The idea is to reduce costs for shoppers who stay longer and encourage more visits to the town centre.
The council understands some shoppers will not want to pay for a full three hours and so plans to offset the loss of the one hour tariff by increasing the turnover of free on-street car parking.
The recommendation to the council is to cut waiting times in half from two hours to one and from one hour to 30 minutes, making more spaces available more often.
The council also claims that by making parking for longer cheaper, it would end up dishing out around 1,200 fewer parking tickets.
In his report to the council, chief executive Tom Campbell said: “I am mindful the council wishes to support local retailing but needs to protect the income stream from car parking to balance the budget and protect taxpayers from excessive increases.
“I believe both objectives can be achieved by adopting a radical new tariff for town centre parking.”
Barrow Traders’ Association has backed the plan, but some town traders are asking for a rethink.
Proprietor of town centre fashion shops Reef and Studio 82, Amanda Evans, welcomed the new three-hour tariff but said cutting on-street waiting times would be a mistake.
She said: “When people come into my shop we have trouble with them looking at their watches. I know that if it is cut to half an hour they wouldn’t stay. Half an hour is not long enough to come in and try a couple of things on.
“I have been asking my customers about it and I think I will lose a little bit of custom because people won’t want to pay for three hours. On Saturday I had four people complain because they couldn’t get a space in the car parks.”
Instead she wants the council to consider adopting a “pay as you leave” system where drivers only pay for what they have used.
She said: “It would be ideal if we could do the same as some places in Kendal, where they pay when they come back. Other places seem to be able to do it so I don’t see why we can’t.”
Proprietor of Apollo Blinds on Rawlinson Street, Phil Cowing, also believes a pay on exit system is the fairest way to do things.
He said: “I think the council have quite a difficult job trying to satisfy the needs of the shopkeepers and the shoppers. It’s not an easy thing to get the right answer for everyone.
“At least pay on exit is paying for what you use, which is generally what most people want to do.
“I think they should leave the street parking as it is. I don’t think half an hour is enough.
“Most businesses rely on customers being able to park for an hour and browse. I think asking people to pay for three hours is a bit much.
“I think there is a lack of consultation. I know they’ve said they’ve talked to people but I don’t think there is a great depth of consultation.”
Mr Campbell said if members agree with the pricing change it could be brought in from December 1, in time for the Christmas shopping period.
The executive council meeting takes place tomorrow at Barrow Town Hall from 2pm.
First published at 12:05, Tuesday, 14 October 2008
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk
i just park on double yellow lines, never been caught!
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I agree with Phil Cowing at Apollo, make it a pay on exit scheme and then its fair for everyone.
Posted by Jane on 15 October 2008 at 14:49