Anger over rise in parking costs as businesses feel the effects
CUSTOMERS BEING STUNG
A petition has been launched by businesses against the hike in parking charges at Hartlepool Marina which they say are already affecting them.
Earlier this month the residents and businesses feared the worst when the new signs were put up about the changes.
Now, they say their concerns are being realised by people just turning away. It is not only the price hike at Navigation Point in Hartlepool which has left people furious, they says there is a greater fear of being fined due to the free waiting time being reduced from 30 minutes to 15 minutes.
They say this is not giving enough time for people to queue for sandwiches or a coffee and delivery drivers are also getting fined. Another, change which has angered many people is the ticket machines are now cashless, meaning motorists will have to pay by bank card or using an app on their phone – something which many people, especially the elderly, are not comfortable with.
Now, the Hartlepool Licencees Association has launched a petition urging people to support them in their battle to get fairer charges brought in. The petition already has around 700 signitures in less than a day and can be found here.
Adam Gaines, who owns Rosie’s bar on the Marina, said he just can’t run his business properly and is worried about the loss of customers. He said: “It is getting really hard for us to run our businesses. It has come to a point that so many potential customers are just turning around the leaving due to the parking costs.
“Because of the 15 minute waiting time people are getting fined doing deliveries and collections. A lot of the staff in the bars are very young and their parents are being fined waiting to pick them up. It is not safe for them to walk out of the area where there are no cameras when they are finishing work so late.”
Adam said the changes are having a big negative effect on the businesses. He said: “People have heard about the prices and just not coming down, or they are turning around and leaving.” He said he has seen a huge reduction in the amount of people and cars visiting the site.
He said: “This should be one of the top tourist destinations in
the North East, but what is happening is that people are coming down and getting fined.” He said he is worried people are going to start losing their jobs and he has already had to cut some hours.
The previous parking charges were 30 minutes to two hours, £1.50, two to three hours, £2.50, three to four hours, £3.00, four to five hours, £3.50 and £6 for 24 hours. Now the charges are 15 minutes to two hours, £2, two to three hours, £3, three to five hours, £4 and £8 for 24 hours.
The Gazette contacted Northwest Parking Management which operates the parking system at the Marina for a comment.
BY REDUCED FREE WAITING