Recommended changes to local Car Parks
Recommendations to introduce changes to the way in which Chichester District Council’s rural car parks are managed were put forward today (Tuesday 1 December) by Chichester District Council’s Executive Board.
The Executive Board voted to tailor the car parking proposals to match the needs of each individual town. This took into account feedback from both residents and businesses. Any changes to the car parks would not be implemented for a year and a half, by which time most commentators believe the economy will have recovered. The Board also wanted to introduce Civil Parking Enforcement (CPE) before any changes were introduced. The Executive Board’s recommendations will now be put forward to the Full Council, which will make a final decision on Tuesday 15 December.
The Executive Board’s final recommendations, in respect of car parks at the following locations, included:
Midhurst, North Street and Grange Road: two hours free, then 20p per hour thereafter.
Petworth, Pound Street: an area allocated for up to one hour free parking, 20p for up to two hours, 60p for up to four hours and £1 for over four hours.
Petworth, Sylvia Beaufoy: to retain this as a free car park. The Board asked Officers to look into a way of ensuring the availability of spaces for businesses and local residents.
Selsey, East Street: two hours free, then 20p per hour
Selsey Marine and East Beach: charges would be introduced between April and October. The first hour would be free, then £1 for any stays over an hour.
East Wittering, Northern Crescent, : two hours free, £1 for up to three hours, £2 for up to four hours, with a maximum stay of four hours.
East Wittering, Marine Drive: a section would be designated as a free business car park. Charges would be introduced in the remainder of the car park between April and October at £1.20 for up to two hours and £3.50 for over two hours.
Bracklesham Bay: charges would be introduced between April and October. £1.20 for up to two hours and £3.50 for over two hours. Between November and March, two hours would be free, and £1 for over two hours.
A season ticket for each of the rural towns would cost £10 per month.
“The Executive Board has taken account of the feedback from both residents and businesses and the research that had been carried out,” said Cllr Derek James, Portfolio Holder for Community Safety at Chichester District Council.
“While the Board noted general support from the wider community (68% of citizens surveyed from across the district considered that users should pay), it was also sensitive to the concern raised by some local residents and businesses that damage to local economies could potentially occur. I believe the recommendations have balanced these views and taken account of local needs.”
