Archived press release

Date Published: 01/09/06

Members of AVDC’s Economy Scrutiny Committee have backed proposals to introduce new car parking charges in Aylesbury. At its meeting on 30 August, the Economy Scrutiny Committee considered a range of changes that have been proposed by the A...

Members of AVDC’s Economy Scrutiny Committee have backed proposals to introduce new car parking charges in Aylesbury.

At its meeting on 30 August, the Economy Scrutiny Committee considered a range of changes that have been proposed by the Aylesbury Car Park Tariff Review Group (ACPTRG) following a review of parking charges in council-owned car parks.

The review group, which is made up of representatives from AVDC, neighbouring parish councils and business interest groups, is proposing that new inner and outer parking zones for long-stay car parks should be developed in Aylesbury.

A new five-hour charge of £2.50 would be introduced at the inner long-stay car parks to allow part-time workers to park at a reduced rate near to the town centre.

Costs for parking all day in the inner long-stay car parks would rise from £3 to £4. This would encourage more people to park in the outer long-stay car parks during the Waterside development, keeping more spaces available nearer to the town centre. However, the £3 charge for the outer long-stay car parks would remain unchanged.

Long-stay inner car parks are defined as Exchange Street, Canalside Front and Rear and Whitehall Street, while long-stay outer car parks are Friarscroft, Walton Street and Walton Green.

Short-stay parking charges would remain unchanged, with the addition of a five-hour tariff at £5. Currently it costs £3.40 to park for three to four hours and £8 to park for more than four hours in the short-stay car parks. The new five-hour charge would bridge the gap between the £3.40 and £8 tariffs, helping shoppers and visitors wishing to stay in the town centre for half a day.

In addition, Hale Street car park would be restricted to a one-hour stay only at a cost of 70p and six bays at the Civic Centre car park would be introduced for half-hour parking only. A new five-day workers permit at a cost of £538.33 per year is also proposed.

ACPTRG consulted more than 500 people, including permit holders, district and county councillors and Town Centre Partnership members, before agreeing their final proposals. The review group was set up following a decision by AVDC’s cabinet to undertake a comprehensive review of parking charges in Aylesbury.

The Economy Scrutiny Committee support the proposals of the ACPTRG but asked the council’s cabinet to consider the following comments:
• Signage at car parks or on the roadside should be clear, specific and informative
• An information leaflet should be produced that sets out the locations and restrictions for each car park
• The six proposed bays for half-hour usage should be on the ground floor of the Civic Centre car park to ensure quick and easy access
• The Cabinet Member for Asset Management should work with Chiltern Rail regarding the company’s special parking offers

Commenting on the proposals, Councillor David Rowlands, Chairman of the Economy Scrutiny Committee, said: “This is a balanced review of car parking charges, with some new charges being introduced and one going up, but the majority staying unchanged. The new inner and outer zones for long-stay car parks will give people the choice to park for less if they are prepared to walk a bit further. By implementing these proposals in Aylesbury, the council will be helping both shoppers and workers in the town.”

The council’s cabinet will be asked to make a decision on the proposals at its meeting on 5 September.