People set to be asked for their views on Shropshire Council’s new parking strategy
Shropshire Council is set to ask people for their views on its proposed new parking strategy – the document that determines the way that the council manages and runs its car parks and on-street parking, including how and what it charges for parking.
The current strategy – and the current charging arrangements – was introduced in 2012. But a lot has changed in those five years, and now a new strategy is needed.
The council has carried out a detailed, evidence-based review to inform the new draft strategy, and has put forward a number of proposals which will make parking arrangements – both in car parks on on-street – simpler, clearer and more consistent.
At its meeting next week (Wednesday 12 July 2017) Cabinet members will be asked to agree to a public consultation into these proposals.
To see the Cabinet report and appendices, click here (item 8).
The consultation would begin on 22 July and last for 10 weeks. It would be broken down into four parts, as follows:
- Proposals regarding ‘linear’ (set price per hour) parking; pricing bands; unrestricted parking; evening parking; loading bays; ‘pop and shop’ parking, and opening hours at Raven Meadows car park in Shrewsbury. To find out more, click here to read the draft consultation document.
- A new policy and tariff framework for weekly tickets, season tickets, residents’ off-street permits, and for coach and HGV parking. To find out more, click here to read the draft consultation document.
- Proposed changes to Shropshire’s Council’s on-street residents’ parking permit scheme. To find out more, click here to read the draft consultation document.
- Proposed changes to the car parking waiver system. To find out more, click here to read the draft consultation document.
People will be able respond to all four parts, or just the ones that are of interest/relevance to them.
On-street parking
Steve Davenport, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for highways and transport, said:
“In simple terms we want to offer an improved parking service that is hassle-free, and that makes use of the latest technology. We want a service that offers value for money and that is consistent across the county. And we want to make it easy for our customers to understand how much it costs to park – in our car parks and on-street – and the easiest way to pay.
“The proposals in the new draft strategy are all intended to help us achieve these aims, as well as helping to reduce congestion and pollution. I encourage everyone to have a look at the proposals so that they understand what is being proposed and – importantly – why, and then let us know what they think.”
All responses to the consultation would be carefully considered before the final proposals are presented to Shropshire Council’s Cabinet in autumn 2017.
Subject to approval of any proposals, a further formal traffic regulation order consultation and approval will be required before they are implemented.
People will be able to respond online (on the council website) or by completing a hard copy of the consultation document – available in libraries, and at customer service points.
Council officers also plan to get out and about across the county to give people the opportunity to find out more and ask questions.
Further information
For the full proposals please see each of the four consultation documents, and the Cabinet report.
Some of the key proposals are:
The introduction of a set price per hour (known as ‘linear’ pricing)
We’re proposing to introduce a set price per hour in each of our car parks, though the charge will vary between car parks (see proposal 1) depending on their location.
A simple, consistent, easy to understand hourly charge will make it easier for customers to choose how long to park for. The charge will vary depending on where you park, with each car park or on-street parking area being placed into a ‘band’.
A standard countywide car parking banding / ranking system
We’re proposing to introduce seven new pricing bands. Each car park and on-street pay and display area will be placed into one of these bands, depending on its location, capacity and the likelihood of finding a parking space.
This will help to standardise and simplify our parking charges structure to ensure that there is consistency across the county, and to make it easier for people to understand.
Parking tickets for unrestricted periods
We’re proposing to end the current system of long-stay and short-stay parking by introducing parking tickets that allow you to park without a maximum stay limit in our car parks and on-street pay and display areas. This will allow you to park for as long as you need to, and will be made possible by the introduction of banding (see above).
Season tickets will be valid for all car parks of the same band or lower
This will improve service provision and flexibility, and help to reduce on-street parking congestion.
