After forgoing an increase in charges for council-run on-street and off-street parking last year, East Riding of Yorkshire Council will be increasing charges by 10p per hour from 8am on Thursday, 28 March.
The charges form part of a balanced budget announced by the council earlier this month, which included, for a third year running, a freeze on council tax. The increase will allow investment in the area’s transport infrastructure.
The increase means that to park all day in the East Riding at council-run on-street and off-street car parking will cost £5.40, which compares favourably to neighbouring authorities.
Residents and special group permits, which have been kept at the same level for 10 years, will be increased by between £1 and £5 per annum and scratch cards for visitors/hotel guests are to be raised by £5 per book.
Annual standard permits will increase by £50, which will be introduced over two years at £25 per year, and coach parking will also increase by between 50p and £1 per hour.
Councillor Stephen Parnaby OBE, leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “As part of the budget setting process, all of the council’s business operations were reviewed and, to ensure a balanced budget was set, it was decided that car parking charges should be increased.
“Car parking charges are never popular, but serve an important purpose in providing safe and sensible parking for motorists and allow for a regular turnover of spaces to support local commerce.
“Contrary to popular myth, car parking charges are not a means for councils to ‘make money’, as all of what the council receives goes back into the area’s transport infrastructure.
“The robust financial planning by this council has meant that charges in the East Riding have not changed since August 2010 and, even with the proposed increases, will now not need to change again until at least 2016.
“Even with the increases, charges in the East Riding compare favourably to those of neighbouring authorities in the Yorkshire and Humber region.”
Beverley
As well as increasing charges by 10p per hour, the council has undertaken a review of its car parks and has re-banded Butcher Row and Spencer Street, in Beverley, to spread use between car parks and improve traffic flow.
These car parks will operate under a new price structure that is free for the first half hour, short stay only, and then £1 for an hour, £2 for two, £3 for three and £4 for all day.
Bridlington
As well as increasing charges by 10p per hour, the council has undertaken a review of its car parks and has re-banded Palace Car Park and Beaconsfield, in Bridlington, to spread use between car parks and improve traffic flow.
These car parks will operate under a new price structure that is free for the first half hour, short stay only, and then £1 for an hour, £2 for two, £3 for three and £4 for all day.
Hornsea
As well as increasing charges by 10p per hour, the council has undertaken a review of its car parks and has re-banded Newbegin and Hornsea Leisure Centre, in Hornsea, to spread use between car parks and improve traffic flow.
These car parks will operate under a new price structure that is free for the first half hour, short stay only, and then £1 for an hour, £2 for two, £3 for three and £4 for all day.
Driffield
As well as increasing charges by 10p per hour, the council has undertaken a review of its car parks and has re-banded Beckside, Driffield, to spread use between car parks and improve traffic flow.
This car park will operate under a new price structure that is free for the first half hour, short stay only, and then £1 for an hour, £2 for two, £3 for three and £4 for all day.
Goole
As well as increasing charges by 10p per hour, the council has undertaken a review of its car parks and has re-banded Wesley Square, Goole, to spread use between car parks and improve traffic flow.
This car park will operate under a new price structure that is free for the first half hour, short stay only, and then £1 for an hour, £2 for two, £3 for three and £4 for all day.
Whilst I think that parking should be free but time restricted as that would help the retailers, I have been paying nearly £10 per day to park in Leeds – and I suspect that has gone up since I retired in July! So things could be worse….
I was in London, they charged 40p for five minutes parking. I use a my push bike most of the time and actually do not think it is too expensive to park in Beverley. I would increase it a lot more and try an encourage people not to drive into the town centre. Also I think something needs to be done about lorries and vans that pretty much take no notice of the loading times, driving along Toll Gavel is a problem and some one will get hurt.
People are just too lazy these days and will drive when they can walk to the shops!