Last updated at 16:40, Wednesday, 23 January 2013

A POPULAR 20p parking trial looks set to continue for another 12 months.

EXCELLENT NEWS: Town and district councillor John Clough at the Stockbridge Lane car park where a 20p charge for an hour’s parking has been trialled

A scheme that has seen Ulverston motorists pay as little as 20p to park in Stockbridge Lane car park has been hailed as an example of how car parks should be run.

South Lakeland District Council’s cabinet will vote next week on its parking charges for next year and is recommended to approve keeping the existing tariffs in Ulverston.

Motorists currently pay 20p for an hour’s parking, rising to £1 for the whole day.

Councillor Ian Stewart, portfolio holder for economy and enterprise, said: “We are trying to respond to what people are saying about car parking. I think this next year is going to be really crucial.”

Cllr Stewart said he hopes residents make good use of the car parks in order to justify reducing the prices.

He added: “There are two ways of increasing the revenue contribution to the council coffers – by having higher charges and not as much use or by having a less high charge and more use.”

But early figures, he said, are promising and show increased takings across the town.

Cllr Stewart said: “I am very pleased with the response of the people of Ulverston and I want to push it a bit further.”

SLDC relies heavily on income from car parks, which bring in a gross total of around £4m a year.

A report to cabinet members shows takings at the Stockbridge Lane car park between July 14 and November 30 more than doubled compared to the same period last year – rising from £2,458 to £6,406.

The rise easily offsets slight dips in revenue at the nearby Gill and Daltongate car park, which saw a combined drop of around £2,000.

In total, takings across Ulverston since April 1 jumped nearly £13,000 to £227,119.

Town and district councillor John Clough welcomed the decision, saying common sense had prevailed.

He added: “This is excellent news – Ulverston is leading the way for car parks.

“I think Ulverston is looking like the preferred model to use in other towns.”

First published at 16:30, Wednesday, 23 January 2013
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk