Cheaper parking in town but ...
Council to consult on new car park discounts
Scarborough residents could pay less for using town centre car parks but it would mean the end of the free winter parking in some areas.
Scarborough residents could be given the chance to pay less to park in town centre car parks.
The borough council is now consulting on the plan to offer cheaper rates to people in the borough.
However, in order to pay for the scheme, it would see the end of the free winter parking currently offered in some areas.
It could see residents pay up to 20% less in some car parks.
In order to qualify for the discount, a £10 permit would have to be purchased on an annual basis.
The costs to visitors would also be increased to offset some of the financial burdens of bringing in the scheme.
A report published last week set out the council’s position.
It states: “Research has shown that the vast majority of residents use the 1–4 hour tariffs on the car parks and therefore the proposed scheme recognises this fact.
“The proposed charges... show reductions in charges for Residents Off Street Permit Holders of up to 20% in many cases on the non-resiing dent charge.” In North Street car park, for example, residents would pay £1.40 for one hour, compared to £1.70 for visitors.
For four hours residents would be paying £1 less than people from outside the borough.
The report adds: “However, in order to ensure that the introduction of the scheme should not impact on the council’s budgets the introduction of a nominal charge for winter park- will be required on those car parks that do not charge at present.”
Car parks in the borough that are currently free from November to February are:
• Marine Drive, Northstead Upper, Victoria Park and Scalby Mills in Scarborough.
• Abbey Headland, Pavilion Drive and Top and West Cliff in Whitby.
• Bank Top and Station Robin Hood’s Bay, Runswick Bay, Sandsend and Bank Top Staithes.
• Country Park, Station Avenue, West Avenue, Church Ravine and Coble Landing, Filey.
A charge if £1 for 24 hours is being proposed.
Yesterday, the plans were being sent out to public consultation by the portfolio holder for leisure and tourism, Cllr Andrew Jenkison.
Earlier this year, North Yorkshire County Council voted to increase the cost of residents on-street parking permits in Scarborough from £17 to £30.
The cost of a second permit was also increased to £30 by the county.
• What do you think of the plans for a discount for local people? Is it a good idea or is it too small a discount?
Email newsdesk@jpress. co.uk with your responses and thoughts.