Agenda item

To consider the report of the Assistant Director Public Realm.

Place Scrutiny Committee considered the report at its meeting on 8 September 2016 and its comments will be reported.

The report of the Assistant Director Public Realm was submitted updating Members on car park tariff, designation and permit changes to be introduced with effect from January 2017.

Members were advised of the background which included a new strategic approach to off-street parking which was adopted in March 2016, following a detailed parking review by consultants, and a number of Spotlight Reviews during 2014/15.  The approach was to deliver the optimum impact on each of the four City Council’s strategic objectives outlined in the ‘New Strategy for Parking 2016 – 2026’ including economic growth; maximising capacity, reducing congestion and maintaining income. The proposed tariff structure should provide a more gradual and even rise in price with a clearer ‘per hour’ rationale. Proposed changes to the evening parking offer and the extension of the day time linear tariff into the evening would provide more clarity, and additional staff would be needed to support an extension of the opening hours of the Guildhall and John Lewis car parks. Any evidence of a significant adverse change in car parking habits and footfall in the city centre would be monitored.

Members discussed the designation of the car parks, signage and the need for a co-ordinated approach across all platforms including the web site to direct people to the car parks across the city.

The Portfolio Holder for Economy and Culture stated that further work would be undertaken on signage and usage of the car parks in the city.

Place Scrutiny Committee considered the report at its meeting on 8 September 2016 and its comments were reported.

RESOLVED that the following be approved:-

(1)     the adoption of a linear approach to parking tariffs in order to simplify the pricing structure and encourage increased visitor dwell time, as set out in table below:-

(2)        the extension of the new linear tariff to midnight at Mary Arches, Guildhall and John Lewis Car Parks, replacing the current £2.00 evening parking charge at Mary Arches Street after 6pm, subject to approval of the business case to extend staffed evening parking facilities at these sites;

(3)        the operation of Mary Arches Street and Guildhall Car Parks until midnight and the John Lewis Car Park until 9pm, demand at John Lewis to be monitored to ensure closing time remains proportionate to demand; 

(4)        the re-designation of Topsham Quay as a long stay car park;

(5)        the re-designation of Haven Road Car Park to offer both long stay and local rate parking options;

(6)        to facilitate, and better advertise, long stay parking (up to 3 days) at Tappers Close Car Park to encourage rail use at adjacent station;

(7)       to maintain, but not extend, existing resident and business annual season    ticket schemes to support city centre living and smaller businesses;

(8)        to increase the cost of an annual season ticket from £260 to £300 per quarter to help encourage commuter use of public transport;

(9)        to continue to offer free parking support to Blue Badge holders in all Pay & Display car parks and to consult with appropriate groups to better understand why certain disabled parking areas are underused; and

(10)      with the exception of Mary Arches Street, Guildhall and John Lewis Car Park, the current charging hours of 8am to 6pm in all Exeter car parks and 9am to 5pm in all Topsham car parks be maintained.