Lead Member – Councillor Steve Davenport – Portfolio Holder for Highways and Transport

Report of the Director of Place and Enterprise

Contact: George Candler   Tel: 01743 255003

RESOLVED:

1.1.     That approval be granted to consult on the four consultations as set out in paragraph 5.1 of the report. The Parking Strategy Proposals to be consulted on are:

i.      The use of standard criteria and setting of standard banding levels  (including associated criteria and methodology) for each identified car park

ii.    The introduction of a set price per hour (known as ‘linear’ pricing)

iii.   To introduce charging and pay and display in the following carparks:

a.    Gobowen Station, Gobowen

b.    Newport Road, Market Drayton

c.    Crown Hotel, High Street, Albrighton

iv.   A Proposal to introduce linear tariffs and charging between 9.00am and 8.00pm.

v.    The extension of opening hours in Raven Meadows multi storey car park in Shrewsbury 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

vi.   A new trades person waiver system

vii.  The removal of restrictions on periods of maximum stay and minimum return subject to purchase of an appropriate ticket

viii. Removal of the 15-minute ‘pop and shop’ period

ix.   Extend times of loading bay restrictions to 8.00pm in line with the proposal to introduce linear tariffs and extend charging until 8.00pm in the evening.

x.    To make all existing loading bays available within the Shrewsbury river loop as taxi bays between 8.00 pm and 7.30 am.

xi.   A new On-Street Residents parking policy framework

xii.  The introduction of weekly parking tickets

xiii. The setting of new standard tariffs and criteria for Season tickets, Coach, HGV and Off-street Residents permits

xiv.Change of use of the HGV / Coach park, Crossways Church Stretton to a band 6 pay and display car park

1.2.     That following the end of the consultation exercise and consideration of the responses to the consultation, a further report be brought back to Cabinet, setting out the results of the consultation and next steps around the adoption of a new parking and permit scheme.

1.3.     That authority be delegated to the Head of Infrastructure and Communities in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Highways and Transport to assess and implement the roll out of pay by phone to ‘on and off street parking areas’ across the county as soon as possible.

The Portfolio Holder for Highways and Transport presented a report detailing the framework rationale, communication plan and programme for the public consultation on the draft Shropshire Parking Strategy.  He explained that there would be a ten-week consultation period during which time he intended to speak to Parish and Town Councils en bloc. The Chief Executive added that the Strategy was currently in draft format and it was premature to pre-empt the outcome of the feedback during the consultation period.  The Leader commented that any potential increase in fees would not be palatable but the Council was looking to update the strategy that was now five years old.

A Member queried whether any surplus revenue would be used in the area where it was generated i.e. money raised in Shrewsbury to be used in Shrewsbury.  The Leader commented that money raised would be used for the benefit of Shropshire.

Concerns were raised regarding future damage to businesses by an increase in parking fees, the use of residents’ parking spaces by non-residents and people choosing to shop in areas offering free car parking.  Whilst noting these initial concerns, the Portfolio Holder stressed that all issues would be considered as part of the consultation process.

Another Member commented that pay by phone initiatives would be welcome and the proposed increases were set at a sensible level.  He suggested that the consultation period should be extended as many Parish and Town Councils did not meet during August.  The Leader stated that responses up to the end of September would be accepted.  The Portfolio Holder stressed the importance of the involvement of Parish and Town Councils in the consultation process and assured Members that all representations made would be taken into consideration.

RESOLVED:

i)    That approval be granted to consult on the four consultations as set out in paragraph 5.1 of the report. The Parking Strategy Proposals to be consulted on          are:

i.              The use of standard criteria and setting of standard banding levels  (including associated criteria and methodology) for each identified car park

ii.             The introduction of a set price per hour (known as ‘linear’ pricing)

iii.            To introduce charging and pay and display in the following car parks:

·         Gobowen Station, Gobowen

·         Newport Road, Market Drayton

·         Crown Hotel, High Street, Albrighton

iv.           A Proposal to introduce linear tariffs and charging between 9.00am and 8.00pm.

v.             The extension of opening hours in Raven Meadows multi storey car park in Shrewsbury 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

vi.           A new trades person waiver system

vii.          The removal of restrictions on periods of maximum stay and minimum return subject to purchase of an appropriate ticket

viii.         Removal of the 15-minute ‘pop and shop’ period

ix.           Extend times of loading bay restrictions to 8.00pm in line with the proposal to introduce linear tariffs and extend charging until 8.00pm in the evening.

x.             To make all existing loading bays available within the Shrewsbury river loop as taxi bays between 8.00 pm and 7.30 am.

xi.           A new On-Street Residents parking policy framework

xii.          The introduction of weekly parking tickets

xiii.         The setting of new standard tariffs and criteria for Season tickets, Coach, HGV and Off-street Residents permits

xiv.         Change of use of the HGV / Coach park, Crossways Church Stretton to a band 6 pay and display car park

ii)            That following the end of the consultation exercise and consideration of the responses to the consultation, a further report be brought back to Cabinet, setting out the results of the consultation and next steps around the adoption of a new parking and permit scheme.

iii)           That authority be delegated to the Head of Infrastructure and Communities in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Highways and Transport to assess and implement the roll out of pay by phone to ‘on and off street parking areas’ across the county as soon as possible.