New charges for street parking
NEW parking charges are set to be introduced on eight streets in town centres and villages across the Staffordshire Moorlands – to help boost high streets.
Staffordshire County Council wants to bring in on-street pay-and-display schemes in locations where it is currently free to park.
Council chiefs say charging will improve the ‘turnover’ of on-street parking and make it easier for visitors to find a space – which could help local businesses.
It is argued pay-and-display will also make it easier for traffic wardens to enforce existing time limits.
But the council insists that individual solutions will be found for specific locations, which could mean free parking at certain times.
There will be a rolling programme of on-street charging reviews over the next few years.
High Street and Bank Street, in Cheadle; High Street and King Street, in Biddulph; and Bath Street, in Leek, will be among the first to be reviewed, in 2019/20.
Fountain Street, Derby Street and Market Street in Leek will be reviewed in future years.
Councillor Helen Fisher, cabinet member for highways, said: “We’re introducing a strategy designed to improve the turnover of on-street parking spaces in town centres, market towns and village high streets which will help local businesses and make enforcement easier.
“We will be working with each community to introduce a policy that meets local needs. That might mean free parking at certain times, or variable charges, to promote local businesses so people who want to pop in and out rather than use long-stay car parks will be able to find somewhere quicker without cruising round and causing congestion.”
Council leaders say money generated by the charges will be reinvested in highways.
Ms Fisher added: “Staffordshire is still going to be reliant on the car for many years to come, so it’s essential to develop a strategy that balances the use of short-stay on-street parking and long-stay car parks on the edge of town centres.
“Providing the right amount of onstreet parking with flexible charging regimes will encourage the use of high streets, improve traffic flow, reduce congestion and improve access for disabled motorists.
“But at the same time we must strike a balance with creating a good quality of life for residents, encouraging pedestrians and cyclists, and promoting the use of public transport.”
Community leaders in Biddulph say something needs to be done to address parking issues in their town centre.
Staffordshire Moorlands District Councillor Hilda Sheldon is a partner at Brammers of Biddulph shoe shop, in nearby Station Road. She said: “I am not sure how this would work.
“But there is a serious problem with parking on High Street because buses stop there and people park opposite at the same time.”