Parking charge increases? Meter Madness!
I've just driven around Torbay today visiting the town centres of Brixham, Paignton and Torquay. I've also been to visit all the out of town shopping centres.
-
parking meter madness
Why?
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Because I can see that one of the Torbay Council 2013 budget proposals is an increase in parking charges. Somewhere I noticed that Teignbridge is thinking about similar action in response to government funding grants are cut.
In the centre of the towns parking is charged. At the out of town shopping centres it is free. Do I want to nip in and grab a pasty at a local baker and pay a parking charge? Or shall I park for free and grab the pasty from a supermarket? Hmm. Not and even playing field.
Some years ago I seem to remember Mr Tony Blair and Lord Sainsbury talking about parking charges for out of town shopping centres to balance the community profile. That seems to have slipped quietly into history.
Time and time again we hear about the need to reenergise the town centres and make them visitor friendly. Endless parking meters and high car park charges for increased council revenue rather than traffic control is really like shooting yourself in the foot!
Madness.
It's your community. What do you want?
Comments
by DarrenCowell
Wednesday, January 09 2013, 9:32AM
“I'm not sure where you read there are plans to increase charges? The information I have read is that the charges are to be frozen.”
by jennyhomes
Wednesday, January 09 2013, 12:23AM
“Another boring non story.”
by robocop1982
Tuesday, January 08 2013, 2:24AM
“just get an electric bike then no hassle finding parking space for local short journeys or pay parking. unless you really must have a car for longer distances forget driving and the hassle of finding spaces. electric bikes can get 25 miles now and thats without pedal assist. Im really starting to see how non energy efficient cars are due to them being so heavy. you could take your family out on an electric 96v quadracycle and use it to take kids to school”
by Dave_David
Sunday, January 06 2013, 9:21PM
“HughGarsse....you never alter do you...even with a different name.....how is Austria.
You are sad, pathetic and keep repeating your sad song.....how is your hotel in the centre of Torquay town centre...it does no exist does it? How many people, drunken or on drugs where there on Torre Abbey today with their bull terriers running loose?”
by Azriel22
Sunday, January 06 2013, 2:44PM
“It't worth mentioning that parking services now spends around £100,000 a year on a camera car and operatives that needs 3,O00 tckets to feed it's costs alone - no wonder the fools send tickets to people, quite legally, stopping to reverse onto their drive.”
by HughGarsse
Sunday, January 06 2013, 11:44AM
“I don't think surrounding castle circus with drug rehad, alcohol rehab, doss houses, criminal and sex offender hostels, etc has done much for the Torquay shopping experience either.”
by sparky12011
Sunday, January 06 2013, 11:07AM
“I agree this article 100%. I should know , has a shop owner in the Torquay town centre all I get told by customers is " I hardly ever shop in town.
Its just not a level playing field, you need to pop to the shops quickly? do you go to St Marychurch, Wellswood, Barton, Torre, The Willows or anywhere else in the town where there is plenty of free parking or go to the Town Centre and pay. The footfall in the town will tell you its a no brainer.
This Mayor and the one before has done so much damage to my business and many others, it is only a matter of time before the town is boarded up. I for one will be closing ( after 30 years) when my lease expires this year and I know of others that will be doing the same.
I understand it must be hard for the council to balance the books but making the shoppers who still use the town centre pay for the councils shortfall is not the way forward. Has for the parking wardens don't get me started. Mr Mayor you may balance the books for your 5 years in term but the effects will be felt by all the people of Torbay for years after your gone.Tourists wont come back because they no longer take home a stick of rock, its now a £35 parking fine.
Perhaps the council could take a look at the way Cardiff charge for parking, one of the busiest
shopping centres in the Uk, could this have something to do with the fact that the first 2 hours are free.”
by 1sagalout
Saturday, January 05 2013, 11:01PM
“This article addresses the issue of Tory councils being the worst for high parking charges - http://tinyurl.com/b3bnzvz”