A report reviewing the new parking scheme in
Weston-super-Mare shows it is working better than
anticipated.
The report will be considered by North Somerset Council's
strategic planning and economic development scrutiny panel next
week.
"Although it's very early days, the indications are that the
scheme is having the effects we wanted it to," said Cllr Elfan Ap
Rees, deputy leader of North Somerset Council and executive member
for transport. "While there was some initial opposition to the idea
- some of it ill-informed, the report shows that the scheme has
been well received by the majority and we have had a number of
letters from local traders and residents congratulating us for what
we've done.
"Supporting economic growth is a priority and the council needed
to tackle the widespread abuse of parking restrictions the town has
suffered from for far too long. Many of the available spaces in the
town centre were taken up all day by commuters and residents,
leaving precious few for shoppers and other visitors."
The report shows that since the new charging scheme began to
operate in November there has been a complete change around with
shoppers and visitors able to find spaces easily near shops and
services they need to visit. As a result some business owners have
said footfall or turnover has increased by 25% and one said that
they had seen a 90% increase in turnover. There has also been an
increase in the number of 'blue badge' holders parking in marked
bays meaning they are not parking in loading bays or on double
yellow lines.
The Town Centre Partnership through its BID office also says
that the turnover of spaces has been welcomed by independent
traders; the mechanised road sweeper is now able to access and
clean the channels and gullies, making the town a whole lot
cleaner; and pedestrian access is a lot safer as cars are no longer
illegally parked. A further benefit has been an apparent dramatic
reduction in the number of drivers going round and round the town
looking for a parking space and causing congestion.
During the first four weeks of the scheme, 37% of tickets sold
were for 20 minutes and 44% for an hour. Inspectors are issuing
excess charge notices to those vehicles not displaying a valid
ticket or overstaying. So far some 450 notices have been issued but
it is hoped this will decline as motorists better understand the
penalties for illegal parking. In the first week of the scheme
being in force 6,234 tickets were sold, rising to a peak of almost
10,500 in the week before Christmas.
Residents living in the scheme area can apply for parking
permits allowing extended parking on-street from 5pm to 10am. Each
household in the area can buy up to two permits, the first at £31
and a second for £62.
There is also a £130 inclusive annual permit which offers
long-stay parking in Locking Road car park throughout the year at
an equivalent of less than 40p per day and including the permitted
parking on-street option.
"This scheme was never about raising revenue," said Cllr Ap
Rees, "it was about improving the vitality of the town and the
viability of local businesses by encouraging people to come here
and spend. Obviously we will need to look at figures over a longer
period of time but if the scheme continues to deliver this sort of
increased prosperity we will all be very pleased.
"We are covering the costs as predicted, ensuring that no burden
falls on the general taxpayer. We have already committed to spend
any revenue raised in excess at the year end on highway
maintenance, which in these days of shrinking budgets will be
further good news for road users."
