The next round of changes aimed at modernising and simplifying parking arrangements in Plymouth are set to take place from 1 April.
As part of a package of measures aimed at addressing the Council’s unprecedented £37.6m budget gap, a public consultation was carried out last year proposing a number of changes. They are aimed at not only bringing parking charges in line with other UK cities but also offering motorists a greater choice of parking and payment options, making tariffs and permit schemes more consistent and deterring those who overstay ‘free parking’ arrangements.
Since the modernisation programme was agreed last year, the Council has introduced a new NHS and health care permit, supported visitors and tourists by allowing them to park all day in various on-street locations, supported shoppers by allowing remaining time purchased in long-stay car parks to be used in other car parks and supported blue badge holders by expanding the number of car parks where the accessibility permit is accepted.
The measures are being introduced in phases. In reports published this week, it is proposed to move forward with the below from Saturday 1 April:
- In line with other cities, increase parking charges by the rate of inflation from 1 April, to help address the increase in operating costs by over £600k since 2018/19
- Introduce new motorcycle charges at all pay and display bays within car parks, when machines offering ticketless parking are installed and live
- Update our parking machines to remove cash payments and modernise and upgrade all on-street systems to accept payments by phone (via Apple and Android Pay for example), credit and debit cards and mobile apps, offering greater choice and convenience for drivers and removing the need to use cash, which helps reduce the city’s carbon footprint
- Increase the cost of the Annual Visitor Permits so they are always charged the same rate as Annual Residents Permits
Signage at parking machines and in car parks will be updated when the new charges apply.
Councillor Jonathan Drean, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “Plymouth City Council has been in an enviable position in that it has not needed to increase parking charges for many years. However, we are now facing very serious financial challenges and we need to do the right thing and ensure that services for the most vulnerable are protected.
“Last year there was a slight increase in on-street charges and now, similar to other local authorities across the country, we are forced to increase our charges in line with inflation.
“We know that any price increases will be unwelcome with drivers right now but as the Council is facing growing costs for all its goods, services, utilities and workforce, we have no choice but to increase our charges.
“Without these increases, it will be impossible to modernise our services, improve the quality of our car parks and customer experience. We want to up our game and provide quality car parking facilities that rival others in the city. We want better lighting, bigger spaces, improved services and signage. These improvements don’t come without costs.
“We have already announced and implemented a raft of new measures, including protecting our free parking arrangements in short-stay car parks, as well as other proposals to make parking more simple, flexible and convenient. This is the next phase in the programme.”
The reports also proposes a consultation on implementing new charges within a number of leisure car parks in the city. This proposal has been halted following engagement with ward councillors. The charges will therefore not go forward. More information: Proposed charges at leisure car parks halted | PLYMOUTH.GOV.UK