Rushcliffe
CAR PARKING. Discussions to increase the availability of car parking spaces across Bingham’s car parks has resulted in two hours free parking being retained as part of new measures from later this year.
Rushcliffe Borough Council’s (RBC) Cabinet considered a report at their meeting on Tuesday (April 9) in conjunction with the work of the Bingham Car Parking Strategy Group.
Alternative one hour free car parking plans were discounted in favour of the extended two hour option that will be assessed over twelve months from a date to be confirmed as part of a wider package of the measures.
The Council took into account the views of residents and business owners balanced against the findings of surveys from car park users last year.
Recommendations for free parking for 30 minutes in the bays around the market place were also confirmed to be assessed at the same time, designed to improve parking through encouraging short stay rather than all day parking in the town centre.
In Newgate Street and Needham Street the new car park tariffs from later this year will be:
Up to two hours - free, 2-3 hours - £1, 3-4 hours - £5, 4-12 hours - £10
A Rushcliffe Borough Council spokesperson said: “The meeting discussed the focus on maximising the availability of spaces for short stay users and those who wish to stay longer, in line with data from car park users.
“Now, listening to further feedback from residents and businesses, the two hours free option will be retained from later this year with the needs of shoppers and visitors prioritised.
“The Council has very much placed emphasis on taking on board all the views from all parties to aim to follow an option that will increase the turnover and regularity of free spaces whilst benefiting motorists, local businesses and service providers alike.
“The new tariffs for Newgate Street and Needham Street car parks are being considered alongside meeting the priorities of the Council’s Off Street Car Parking Strategy and will be reviewed at the end of the 12 month period.
“Any funds received from car parking only meet the cost of the changes that are required such as new car park machines and contributing to the overall cost of maintaining these car parks.”
As part of the package the changes, restrictions on market days will be lifted to allow spaces to be made available when they are not in use by market traders and at Bingham Arena around 30 chargeable spaces will be made available for long stay parking for staff working at local businesses.
ELECTION. The six candidates standing for the new position of Mayor for the East Midlands have geared up for voting on May 2 and have shared their hopes, ambitions and priorities ahead of the upcoming election.
A devolution deal was signed by Derbyshire County Council, Nottinghamshire County Council, Derby City Council and Nottingham City Council in November 2022.
The deal will provide £1.14bn in funding, spread over 30 years, while some powers will be moved up from Westminster to the East Midlands.
These include transport, housing, skills and adult education, economic development and net zero strategy.
However, as a requirement of the deal, a new mayoral role must be created -similar in that to Andy Street in the West Midlands and Andy Burnham in Greater Manchester.
A new East Midlands Combined County Authority has also been established to cover the region as a whole – although existing city and county councils remain unchanged.
The Government believes a regional mayor will mean more accountability over local powers and money.
Election day for the mayor is 2 May, when the electorate will have their chance to vote for the person they want to see represent the region.
The candidates are Frank Adlington-Stringer (Green Party), Ben Bradley (Conservatives), Alan Graves (Reform UK), Matt Relf (Independent), Helen Tamblyn-Saville (Liberal Democrats) and Claire Ward (Labour).