Proposals to reduce the number of free car parks in the East Riding are causing concern for some business and people who live out of town.
That's according to East Riding Councillor Philip Redshaw who says the reduction suggested by the council's Car Park Review Panel causes a number of problems.
However there is suggestion that reducing the amount of free car parking in the East Riding could actually be beneficial for local businesses.
Councillor Richard Meredith says introducing parking fees in more locations could increase the number of people able to use the spaces each day.
The aim of the review was to examine Council car parking prices where they were currently in place, to consider introducing costs in areas where it is currently free to park (and the effect locally that this may have), and to compare parking prices and best practice from other authorities.
The review considered how parking fees are a source of income for the Council and help ensure spaces are not taken unnecessarily or for an undue length of time, by commuters, for example, to create a turnover of parking spaces to support the local economy. However, they can also act as a disincentive to visitors and so impact local businesses and the community.
The panels report states:
"Correspondence had been received from a town council in the East Riding sharing their concern that the impact of newly introduced charges may unduly impact the local retailers and displace commuters into nearby residential streets.
The Panel was also presented with the financial impacts of variations to the 30-minute free parking ticket throughout the East Riding. There was an expected £36,300 increase in revenue following the removal of 30-minute free tickets or an expected £55,000 reduction in revenue if the 30-minute free parking ticket was extended to one hour in towns where it is already available.
External businesses and trade representatives stressed the significant benefits to the local commerce of a free parking period as it provided regular renewal of customers to retail and hospitality businesses."
The Panel's recommendations are:
"The Panel recommend introducing tariffs in areas which are not currently subject to them providing a specific criteria is met.
Furthermore, it is recommended that towns are to be assessed on an individual basis on their own merits, in consultation with local town, parish, and ward councillors and reviewed following one year of implementation of new charges.
Additionally, while the Panel do not feel that a variation to the 30-minute free ticket in established fee-paying car parks is significantly financially or economically advantageous for customers, it agreed that a 30-minute free charging period should also be implemented as standard for towns and villages with newly introduced fees."
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