The leader of Central Bedfordshire Council, Cllr Richard Wenham (Conservative, Arlesey Ward) said the changes to proposed parking fees is a “clear example” of the Executive listening to a substantial consultation and to input from scrutiny.
Revised recommendations were published at 9am, just 30 minutes before the Executive meeting started on Wednesday, February 8, 2022.
The executive member for community services, Cllr Ian Dalgarno (Conservative, Arlesey Ward) said: “The report was presented to Sustainable Community Overview and Scrutiny Committee on January 20 and a number of concerns were raised along with a number of recommendations.
Over 1000 responses
“Over 1,000 responses to the consultation were received and the main theme of these were concerned with regarding the impact on our high streets following the pandemic and business recovery.
“Whilst the council understands the general desire not to see increases in tariffs, I hope that the amended proposals I will present today will show that the council is listening and taking a balanced view.
“We are very mindful of the impact on the local economy of Covid-19 pandemic, and the need to support our local high streets as they go through the journey of recovery to pre-pandemic levels of trade and the representations and recommendations I will make this morning I believe will aid in that area,” he said.
“I recommended that we implement a new tariff of 30 minutes for parking for 50p across all of our car parks with the exception of Flitwick – with Flitwick being a commuter car park.
“This will support those residents who wish to pick up an item in a pharmacy or go to the bank, etc., and I believe that this will be a huge benefit to many residents and our local businesses,” he said.
It was also proposed that free parking on some afternoons would be provided at car parks in Dunstable and Leighton/Linslade.
Aston Square, Dunstable will see free parking on Wednesdays and Saturday afternoons from 1pm to 6pm. While Duncombe Drive in Leighton Buzzard will have free parking on Tuesdays and Saturdays (1pm to 6pm).
“I believe this proposal will be a great benefit to those residents who wanted to use those markets [in Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard], to shop in our town centres, etc. on those afternoons, ” Cllr Dalgarno said.
Promote High Street trade
“And it will also support our traders and promote them at a time and a day when it’s becoming quieter.”
The minimum charge of £3.50 for using a debit card, which was criticised at Scrutiny, will be removed “as soon as practically possible”.
When pressed on the time scale for this change, Cllr Dalgarno said: “I have asked officers to expedite this, my expectation is if we are changing the rates on April 1, I would like to have contactless payments in all of our machines by April 1.”
The main points of the new harmonised parking price structure are; 30 minutes parking for £0.50, up to one hour for £1.50, up to two hours for £2.00, up to three hours for £2.50 and up to five hours for £4.00.
Get daily FREE news here:
https://www.bedsbulletin.com/bulletin/sign-up/
The Executive voted unanimously in favour of the revised recommendations.
The report did not mention if the terms and conditions for using the car parks would prevent a user returning after 30 minutes, or an hour, to top up the parking rather than pay the higher tariffs.
Central Bedfordshire Council was approached for a comment on this, but did not respond by time of publication.
