Council won't increase parking charges

12:30pm Thursday 21st August 2008

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By Jeremy Grimaldi »

PARKING charges will not be raised in Swindon despite the Government calling for councils to raise rates to reduce congestion.

Coun Peter Greenhalgh, (Con, Freshbrook and Grange Park) the cabinet member for highways, transport and strategic planning, said the charges would be frozen for the time being as drivers were already being hit hard by all kinds of rising costs.

He made the statements after John Healey, the Local Government Minister, said that councils should raise their parking fees to force people out of their cars and on to public transport.

Following those comments Andrew Davis, the director of the Environmental Transport Association, said the land used for the car parks would be worth more if it was used for something else, such as office space.

He said: “Our own research revealed that in most cases parking is subsidised.

“Local businesses often object to parking charges, but the car park that is constantly full because it is too cheap is not bringing custom to local shops.”

The ETA believes that when parking charges are part of a well-thought-through transport policy, they can have a positive environmental benefit by encouraging people to walk and cycle more.

But Coun Greenhalgh said the people of Swindon were already being forced to fork out more for fuel and food, because of the worldwide credit crunch.

He said: “The ETA would be better placed lobbying for more Government subsidies for public transport so that people have another alternative other than driving.

“I find it astonishing at this time when people are feeling the effects of a recession that they would come up with a solution stopping people travelling to the town centre.”

He added that to subsidise the average bus route it costs the council £150,000 and although the Government does give subsidies, they are not enough.

Coun Greenhalgh also said that parking charges are under constant review by the council but as they were reviewed for the last budget the next review should not be occurring until 2011.

Coun Derique Montaut (Lab, Central), the shadow cabinet member for transport, said he also believed the comments came at an unfortunate time.

He said: “If you are talking about congestion the Government’s plan makes sense. But I think it has come at an unfortunate time as people are feeling the effects of a negative economic climate.”