Latest Car Par Charging Proposals
(Page Updated December 6th)
Cabinet approved a report in January 23 (Agenda Item 20, Page 115 of (Public Pack)Agenda Document for
Cabinet, 24/01/2023 16:00 (bristol.gov.uk) to introduce parking charges in several currently free district car parks where it was identified that charges could enable the sites to be financially self-sufficient. Other sites which were unlikely to be self-sufficient were earmarked for disposal.
The approved report and allocation of budgets accordingly, creates a policy position whereby the operational costs of operating and maintaining the district car parks must be covered or the sites will be disposed of. All other car parks have charges which generate income to offset their operating costs. To not introduce charges at these sites will create an imbalance and inconsistency in the Council’s current position. The Council should not dispose of car parks in some local communities and subsidise the costs of local car parks in others.
The current operating cost of the District Car Parks is c£276k per annum.
Committee has recently voted not to implement the charges as originally conceived. Officers have noted this decision and the Committee’s consideration of an amendment to the proposals and have reconsidered their proposal. If operating costs cannot be covered, officers will need to consider further disposals.
The car parks in question are:
a. Beechwood Rd – Frome Vale
b. Callington Rd – Brislington West
c. Chalks Rd – St George West
d. Derby St – St George West
e. Ducie Rd – Lawrence Hill
f. Machin Rd – Henbury and Brentry
g. Repton Rd – Brislington West
h. Stoke View Rd - Eastville
i. Waverley Rd – Avonmouth and Lawrence Weston
j. Westbury Hill – Westbury-on-Trym and Henleaze
Having considered the Committee’s previous position on this, officers would like to propose that charges at these car parks are introduced on the following basis:
a. Charging will be from 8am to 6pm
b. 1 hour free to be available via the Council’s digital parking provider only to prevent activation of repeat free sessions. This service is available by phone, smartphone app or online.
c. 2 hours £1.50
d. 3 hours £3.00
e. 4 hours £4.50
f. Traffic Regulation Orders to be written to enforce no return limits so that the activation of multiple free stays will be prohibited but stays will still be extendable from 1 hour through to 4 hours for payment of the correct tariff.
g. Reserved bays if required for Health Centres (up to 10% of the total unless low occupancy justifies more) at £280 each. Permits to use these Medical Bays at £5 each.
The transport budget implication of the original proposal was estimated to be £300k per annum for which budgets have already been adjusted in expectation of the original proposal being implemented. This proposal has broadly similar financial implications at c£200k.
At the meeting, an amendment was proposed by Councillor Nicholas Coombes, that the one hour free tickets should be available from the machine without the need to contact the parking provider, removing the need for a phone. This was agreed and the amended proposals were voted through 7-2.
The next step will be an application for a Traffic Regulation Order, which requires a period of public consultation.
The approved report and allocation of budgets accordingly, creates a policy position whereby the operational costs of operating and maintaining the district car parks must be covered or the sites will be disposed of. All other car parks have charges which generate income to offset their operating costs. To not introduce charges at these sites will create an imbalance and inconsistency in the Council’s current position. The Council should not dispose of car parks in some local communities and subsidise the costs of local car parks in others.
The current operating cost of the District Car Parks is c£276k per annum.
Committee has recently voted not to implement the charges as originally conceived. Officers have noted this decision and the Committee’s consideration of an amendment to the proposals and have reconsidered their proposal. If operating costs cannot be covered, officers will need to consider further disposals.
The car parks in question are:
a. Beechwood Rd – Frome Vale
b. Callington Rd – Brislington West
c. Chalks Rd – St George West
d. Derby St – St George West
e. Ducie Rd – Lawrence Hill
f. Machin Rd – Henbury and Brentry
g. Repton Rd – Brislington West
h. Stoke View Rd - Eastville
i. Waverley Rd – Avonmouth and Lawrence Weston
j. Westbury Hill – Westbury-on-Trym and Henleaze
Having considered the Committee’s previous position on this, officers would like to propose that charges at these car parks are introduced on the following basis:
a. Charging will be from 8am to 6pm
b. 1 hour free to be available via the Council’s digital parking provider only to prevent activation of repeat free sessions. This service is available by phone, smartphone app or online.
c. 2 hours £1.50
d. 3 hours £3.00
e. 4 hours £4.50
f. Traffic Regulation Orders to be written to enforce no return limits so that the activation of multiple free stays will be prohibited but stays will still be extendable from 1 hour through to 4 hours for payment of the correct tariff.
g. Reserved bays if required for Health Centres (up to 10% of the total unless low occupancy justifies more) at £280 each. Permits to use these Medical Bays at £5 each.
The transport budget implication of the original proposal was estimated to be £300k per annum for which budgets have already been adjusted in expectation of the original proposal being implemented. This proposal has broadly similar financial implications at c£200k.
At the meeting, an amendment was proposed by Councillor Nicholas Coombes, that the one hour free tickets should be available from the machine without the need to contact the parking provider, removing the need for a phone. This was agreed and the amended proposals were voted through 7-2.
The next step will be an application for a Traffic Regulation Order, which requires a period of public consultation.
