Drivers’ time in car parks could be cut

PLANS to cut the time people can park for free at two major Bingham car parks have been revealed.

Rushcliffe Borough Council will meet tomorrow to discuss plans to charge motorists more at the popular Newgate Street car park to “prioritise the needs of shoppers”.

Newgate Street is currently completely free, with a maximum stay of 12 hours and no return within three hours. The new plans would only see people being able to park free for up to an hour.

After that, there would be a £1 charge up to three hours, a £5 charge up to four hours and an all-day charge of £10.

At the Needham Street car park, currently free for up to two hours,users are charged a longstay rate of £20 for up to 12 hours.

The rates at this car park would be changed to the same as Newgate Street, meaning the longstay rate would reduce from £20 to £10 – but drivers would only get one hour free instead of two. The council also says its plans include free parking for 30 minutes in the bays around the market place.

The plans have been worked up by the Bingham Car Parking Strategy Group, comprising members including council leader Councillor Neil Clarke. The group carried out an online consultation, attracting more than 1,500 responses, which found that shopping was the most reason for people to use the car parks.

More than 90 percent said they stayed for two hours or less.

A council spokesperson said: “The group’s aim is to improve car parking in Bingham both in the short and long term, ensuring the needs of shoppers and visitors are prioritised and these changes could be an important first step. We have taken on board all the views of all stakeholders in the consultation and those in the working group.

“We have been doing further analysis on the tariff options for Newgate Street and Needham Street car parks... On the potential costs to park being suggested, it is important there is sufficient funds to 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.”