City centre parking charges could be rising
SHORT STAY CAR PARKS COULD SOON COST MORE, WHILE THERE COULD BE SOME BETTER DEALS ON LONG STAY
PARKING charges in Coventry look set to be changed for the first time in seven years. If approved, there will be an increase in some short stay car park charges, while prices at long stay car parks would be frozen or reduced. All on street parking with the exception of Little Park Street would remain unchanged and it will remain free to park on-street after 6pm. The council says the pricing review is the first since 2010 and aims to discourage office workers from parking in spaces designed for shoppers. The changes would bring the council an extra £221,000 annually to be added to the £4million already raised annually through parking charges. Coun Jayne Innes (Lab, Whoberley), Coventry City Council’s cabinet member for city services, said: “We’re making these changes to increase income in the face of government’s austerity cuts. “But the changes are also to encourage people staying in the city centre for four hours or more to park in one of our long stay car parks. “This will increase turnover of car parking spaces closest to our shopping areas, and will this will support local businesses. “We have benchmarked our prices against other areas and I think it will still be good value to park in our city centre. “In fact these proposed changes to the payment structure in short and long stay car parks will help to ensure shoppers and people who work in the city centre should be able to find the right and best priced space for them. “Blue badge holders will still be able to park free of charge in all council-owned car parks and free for up to three hours onstreet. “Parking in the city centre will also continue to be free after 6pm within designated on-street bays and this is important for people visiting our city centre for a night out with friends or family. “We are also making some sensible changes to our weekly tickets. “The cost will go up a bit but the new ticket will be valid in all of our long stay pay and display car parks, offering people the flexibility to choose which car park works best for them.” The proposals will be discussed at a council scrutiny board meeting on Wednesday and a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, July 4. The proposals only apply to Coventry City Council run car parks.