COUNCIL to debate car parking charges
PRESS RELEASE
23 June 2009
Options for car parking in Melton Mowbray will be discussed at
the Rural, Economic and Environment Affairs Committee on
23 June 2009.
Issues to be considered include: free Christmas parking, a
reduction in charges on a Tuesday, the introduction of a Monday to
Saturday weekly ticket, the introduction of season tickets and
arrangements for Melton Day.
Car parking was originally planned to be discussed at the RREA
meeting scheduled for May but that meeting was postponed until June
to make sure all the relevant information on this important issue
is available.
Cllr Nigel Angrave said "We have asked officers to look
carefully and in detail at the issues and this has unfortunately
meant it's taken longer than we would have liked
to bring this to Committee. However, it has been necessary to
make sure we have all the facts."
Paul Evans, Head of Street Scene and Environment who has
responsibility for the car parks added "We have now looked in
detail at relevant information including car park usage, the number
of visitors to town and other relevant issues. The number of
visitors is holding up despite a dip in car park usage. This is
very positive for the town centre especially as other places are
reporting a decline in visitors."
Facts that the Councillors will be given include: that
last year Chapel Street and Mill Street car park use had dipped but
Wilton Road's usage had increased; the introduction of car park
charging at Burton Street (Town station site) has not impacted to
date on the other car parks, in fact usage has increased since the
implementation of charging; the majority of ticket sales are to
visitors on a Tuesday when the town is at capacity; traders have
suggested cheaper parking on poor trade days; there are 103 free
half hour street parking bays and last but not least that a
reduction in Tuesday parking charge could cost the tax payer up to
£55,000 per year.
The petition presented to the Council by the Melton Times on 9
April was noted at the Council Meeting on 22 April and referred to
the REEA Committee to provide direction.
~ends~
For more information please contact:
Paul Evans
Head of Street Scene and Environment
Melton Borough Council
Telephone: 01664 502 322
Email: pevans@melton.gov.uk
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