Council to revive overnight parking charges proposal for town centre car parks

As councillors for a town centre ward with several GBC owned car parks, the Liberal Democrat councillors for Friary & St Nicolas were exasperated to learn that plans for evening charges for town centre car parks were to be revived. The proposal is to charge £1 in all the car parks except Farnham Road, where there is already an overnight charge. The plans are part of an annual report on parking going to the Executive on Thursday 28 January.

Councillor David Goodwin said "we are always told that residents who can't park legally overnight in their own street should use the town centre car parks that are free. To implement this change will mean that residents have to pay for their parking permit, and pay to park overnight."

Councillor Caroline Reeves added "we objected to these charges last year and the idea was dropped. We still feel that it will deter evening visitors to the town from parking in the car parks, and they will try to park in the residential roads in the town centre, taking up on street places needed by residents."

Councillor Anne Meredith feels that "for town centre traders who have managed to trade through the recession, this will not be a welcome move. It will affect all parts of the town centre evening economy."