Changes to parking charges that will simplify the system and ensure the continued delivery of key services have been agreed by Plymouth City Council.
Over the past twelve months the Council has already made a number of improvements to support motorists, including the creation of over 400 extra wide spaces, expanding payment options, increasing the maximum stay on street in the city centre, and introducing business permits in some loading areas.
However, inline with other local authorities, changes need to made to parking charges to cover rising costs and the rate of inflation. The plans offer motorists a greater choice of parking and payment options, make tariffs and permit schemes more consistent and brings Plymouth’s parking charges more in line with other parts of the country.
One of the most significant changes is the move from separate daytime and evening tariffs to a single charging period. This will make parking tariffs simpler and ensure that motorists receive their full parking time, instead of losing time if parking is booked within an hour of the changeover between rates.
Other changes include:
- Increasing On Street parking by 20p per hour.
- Adjusting permit costs for inflation, calculated back to April 2024.
- Raising some short stay car park tariffs, while longer stays remain unchanged.
- Applying inflationary increases to the cost of applying for and installing a disabled driver parking space (DDPS), removing the current subsidy. This will help protect the future of these services, supporting persons with disabilities.
- Reintroducing the 20p RingGo convenience fee, previously covered by the Council since the pandemic.
- Launching a campaign to remind people that they can use their remaining parking time in other locations.
Changes are due to come into effect on 14 April 2025.
Councillor Mark Coker, Plymouth City Council Cabinet Member for Transport, said: "Over the past year we have heavily invested in parking arrangements across the city.
“But like most local authorities, our financial challenges, due to rising costs and demand mean that we do need to make some alterations to our charging policy.
“These changes are essential for ensuring the sustainability of our services and making our parking system more user-friendly. By moving to a single charging period and adjusting fees, we are addressing long-standing issues and aligning our charges with other cities. We are committed to supporting motorists and visitors, and these changes will help us continue to provide high-quality services."
The changes will be implemented via a Notice of Variation, with the new charges taking effect on 14 April 2025.