2nd September 2010

WEYMOUTH: Revenue from car parking is down

by Harry Walton

SHORT stay parking charges could be frozen in Weymouth and Portland for a year from April 2011.

The proposal is among items to be considered by the council’s management committee on September 7th.
A report to members says that the number of drivers using car parks is down.
Significant changes were introduced to the pricing structure of town centre short stay car parks in 2009-2010 to encourage people to use car parks on the edge of town.
There has also been major traffic flow disruption in and around the town centre since June 7th because of Weymouth Transport Package works while the economic downtown appears to have impacted on car park use in line with some other seaside locations such as Bournemouth.
Members will be told that a combination of these factors is hitting car park use, so the committee is being recommended not to increase short stay charges.
The report adds that another factor in looking at next year’s income is the opening of the Mount Pleasant park and ride facility early in 2011 which is predicted to reduce town car parking income by £190,000-£410,000.
Councillors will be asked to consider some increases in long stay car park charges which were not increased last year and to consider talks with the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism about reintroducing free parking for late night shopping in the four Thursdays running up to Christmas.
Weymouth and Portland finance spokesman Councillor Peter Chapman said: “The setting of car park charges is always a balancing act.
“Too high and it discourages people, too low results in a loss of potential income.
“This year we have had to take into account other factors such as the downturn in the economy which has affected us and other seaside locations and the major roadworks that have taken place.
“For these good reasons we are proposing no increase in the short term parking charges this year. We are also looking to stimulate the local economy in the run up to Christmas by offering free parking for late night shopping on the four Thursdays up to Christmas.”
If members back the proposals they will go forward for consultation with the business community.

WEYMOUTH: Revenue from car parking is down

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