East Staffordshire Borough Council has today announced a review into the operation of its pay and display car parks across the Borough.
This review looks to examine car park usage and provides wider context to the operation of the Council’s car parks.
Since 2017/18, car parking ticket sales have dropped by 50% in East Staffordshire, with the COVID pandemic likely playing a large part in this decline. The parking review suggests that this decline in sales could also be due to private sector providers setting favourable tariffs to entice drivers. As a result, the Council has proposed that sections of certain car parks across the Borough could be converted into urban public parks to enhance the environment.
Research highlights that East Staffordshire Borough Council’s pricing structure is currently towards the lower end of the tariff scale for a two hour stay when compared to other neighbouring authorities. Consequently, a change to car park pricing has been approved, seeing a two hour stay increase to £1.90, thereby matching the average price charged by similar local authorities. This increase is below the rate of inflation to assist residents during the cost of living challenge.
This review also shows that parking machines and their operation currently represent the highest financial outlay and time consumption in the running of a car park. To combat this, the Council has agreed to undertake a full consultation on the potential phasing out of parking machines by 2025.
Another focus of this review is the Council’s ‘Free After 3’ scheme. Given the decline in footfall shown throughout this car park review, the Council has opted to cease this service from March 31st 2024.
Cllr Dennis Fletcher, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, said: “The Council continues to examine and improve upon the many services it provides. This review into the Borough’s car parks highlights several areas in which changes are needed, ensuring that appropriate updates are made to the services provided.”
For more information on the review, please visit the Council’s website.