Decision details

The Assistant Director Public Realm presented a report which sought the adoption of a new Parking Strategy for the period 2016 – 2026.  This would provide a new strategic approach to the parking services provided by the Council, with a focus on four key objectives of economic growth, parking capacity, congestion and maintaining parking income. The Consultant’s work had also enabled a number of Member Spotlight Review meetings to be held and also deliberate over the consultant’s findings and contribute to the final Strategy. Four main objectives were identified and would be addressed in the accompanying Action Plan, including decisions on the specific interventions set out in the Plan, which would also take account of new initiatives such as Exeter City Futures and the Council’s aspirations for carbon reduction.

The Assistant Director Public Realm responded to the following Members’ comments:- 

·           following a suggestion of a ‘smart’ or ‘intelligent’ pricing model, she confirmed a report would be brought forward  and include a future pricing model and review of the tariffs to the September meeting of Scrutiny Committee - Place.

·           the Action Plan had identified a number of physical changes, including signage, and lighting in relation to the parking estate, and that would include the Cathedral and Quay Car Park.

·           opportunities to reduce anti-social behaviour would be explored.

·           every effort would also be made to actively promote evening car parking to compliment the further development of the evening economy offer, and that might include a more segregated market approach including attended car parking.

·           the new parking ticket machines offered a greater choice of paying for parking including card, phone, pay on foot and cash.  Other opportunities such as future consideration of a pre-payment card, rather like an oyster card may be developed and could also include other transport across the city.  The ticket machines did not give change, but any overpayment, offered additional parking in real time.

·           the electric charging bays were not particularly well used, and technology was moving at such a fast pace, and even mid-range electric cars now had a far greater charge range, and any further capital investment should take account of this.

·           Exeter had achieved a ‘Park Mark’ and had the market standard of at least 5% of parking for disabled users across the city, although not necessarily in every car park.  Charging for disabled parking would be included in the forthcoming review of parking tariffs.

·           the only comparison of car park charges with other cities was in relation to tariffs.

·           it was acknowledged that the Variable Message Signs (VMS) system did not always offer drivers the most accurate detail of car park availability and the Action Plan proposed improvements that would need to be negotiated with Devon County Council.

A  Member also commented on the partnership improvements set out in the Action Plan and suggested that would require greater cooperation and capacity in relation to the bus operations in the city. 

Scrutiny Committee - Economy recommended Executive approval of the following:-

(1)       the adoption of the Parking Strategy 2016 – 20126 and that work commenced towards the delivery of the actions set out in the Strategy’s Action Plan; and

(2)       an additional recommendation that the Parking Strategy and accompanying action plan be reviewed in 12 months’ time and take account of proposals such as the Exeter City Futures.