U-TURN ON CHARGES FOR LEISURE CAR PARKS - BUT COST OF PARKING INCREASES IN CITY

Parking charges will not now be introduced at a number of leisure car parks in Plymouth following opposition by local ward councillors.

Earlier this month it was announced that Plymouth City Council would be asking residents for their views on introducing minimal parking charges at Mount Batten (on-street and car park), Jennycliff, Devils Point and Strand Street car parks – all of which are currently free – with the revenue being reinvested into improvements in each car park.

In addition, the consultation would have included proposals on introducing a small charge at the Life Centre (£1 for 24 hours parking) for customers of the centre, to help prevent non-users from migrating to the Life Centre car park, creating challenges for centre customers.

As part of the initial engagement, ward councillors expressed their concern on the proposals, therefore the Cabinet Member for Transport has decided they will not move forward.

Councillor Jonathan Drean said: “As part of our wider budget programme, we highlighted that we would look at ways we could help address the increase in operating costs of parking in the city.

This proposal was exactly that. It was one idea. We committed to listening to views and that started with us engaging with councillors. It is clear that introducing charges at our leisure car parks would not be a viable option, therefore the proposal will not be moving ahead.”

Meanwhile on and off street parking charges in the rest of the city will rise by 10 per cent from April 1. Hourly on street parking charges will rise from £2 to £2.20 and all day parking from £15 to £16.50. Off street parking chargesa across the city will rise by a similar amount. Residents parking permits will rise from £41 to £45.