Guest 715- Registered: 9 Jun 2011
- Posts: 2,438
according to Twitter: Simon Jones ‏@BBCSimonJones
Car parking charges in #Dover are set to be frozen for the next year.
Audere est facere.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
rather surprising considering the shortfall in revenue from central government, many local authorities have been clawing money back by raising charges.
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
Including Waverley council in whose area I now temporarily reside. All the free time limited spaces in Farnham have suddenly become pay and display as of yesterday.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Guest 717- Registered: 16 Jun 2011
- Posts: 468
Probably because they're making so much money from the Leisure Centre car park now....bitter? Not at all
Keeps politics to myself
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
Nothing to do with money raised from the Leisure Centre Helen.
I remember a few years ago when the costs went up, I made a lot of noise about the damage it would do to businesses here; so this time round, I applaud them.
This is the official news-release
Residents and visitors to the Dover district are set to receive a New Year boost as the Council proposes freezing existing car parking charges in all Council car parks for the coming year.
This is great news for the mix of shoppers, visitors and workers that use these car parks and will encourage people to come shopping, supporting local businesses.
Car parks are a business that the Council runs and we have to make sure they are viable and properly maintained and accredited. However, the Council is committed to maintaining the fairest deal possible for car park users despite the challenging economic climate. The proposed freeze on existing car park charges comes as a result of the Council listening to the needs of local businesses and residents.
After a three-year price freeze, car parking charges were reviewed in February 2011 and the hourly rate in most car parks was increased to 90p; Stembrook in Dover and Middle Street in Deal were raised to £1 an hour. In April 2012, all off-street parking charges, except for Stembrook and Middle Street, were increased to come into line at £1 an hour. The Council reviews car parking charges yearly and is proposing to freeze off-street car parking charges for 2013-14.
The Council has also agreed it should not extend the time period that car parking charges apply and to continue free Sunday and evening parking, where in place. Generally, parking in the Dover district is cheaper than our neighbouring authorities, who have longer charging hours and also charge from Monday to Sunday.
Once the Cabinet have debated the Budget and Medium Term Financial Plan, which include details on car parking charges, on 04 February 2013, it is expected to recommend the proposals to the full Council, which will vote on them on 06 March 2013.
Cllr Nigel Collor, Portfolio Holder for Access and Property Management said, "These are difficult times and the council is doing all it can to attract shoppers into our town centres to help our retailers. We want to encourage more people to visit the district and take full advantage of all it has to offer."
Well done DDC.
Roger
Guest 715- Registered: 9 Jun 2011
- Posts: 2,438
I think Helens comments were tongue in cheek Roger, I remember her complaining bitterly when they stopped refunding your parking money at the Leisure Centre.
Audere est facere.
Paul Watkins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 9 Nov 2011
- Posts: 2,226
So the bottom line is that nobody will pay more £1 per hour in any of our car parks.
Rates start for as little as 50p then increase according to the time you buy.
Some car parks are cheaper across the District & Russell St has a 50% discount on Tuesday for the New Market.
Where else along the South Coast can you get parking for less than £1 in premium town centre car parks run by local authorities? Very few if you can find them.
Watty
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
Give us all a pat on the back, we have stopped beating our wives. Paul, Dover is not yet a "premium town centre".
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Paul Watkins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 9 Nov 2011
- Posts: 2,226
Car parks are graded Peter. Not town centre but that will come.
Not a pat on the back pointing out facts. Lot of misleading propaganda being peddled
Watty
Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
Peter
good point on premium town centre
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Guest 714- Registered: 14 Apr 2011
- Posts: 2,594
Roger in post 5 says
This is great news for the mix of shoppers, visitors and workers that use these car parks and will encourage people to come shopping, supporting local businesses.
I just love spin, you read that and anybody would think a taxi will pick you up and drop you off again for free: lets be honest here, the council has said they're not putting the price up, nothing more.
If thats the best news they've got then god help us all.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
thought i was cynical david but you beat me hands down, the national press has been banging on about councils all over the country raising charges and making previously free spaces into pay and display and nigel and co are breaking the trend and keeping ours low.
everybody slags off their council but credit where it is due.
Guest 714- Registered: 14 Apr 2011
- Posts: 2,594
Come off it Howard, if the White Horse puts a sign up saying
GOOD NEWS WE'RE NOT PUTTING THE PRICE OF BEER UP
it will encourage people to drink more? Of course it won't they'll drink the same amount.
Its called spin Howard because they've got nothing better to offer, I'm amazed you fall for it tbh.
Paul Watkins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 9 Nov 2011
- Posts: 2,226
You're on form David.
Watty
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
During the 7 years we were at Blakes the charges went up well above the rate of inflation. Perhaps the sound of the pips squeaking became loud enough to be heard up at Whitfield.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Guest 714- Registered: 14 Apr 2011
- Posts: 2,594
Always on form Paul.
Paul Watkins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 9 Nov 2011
- Posts: 2,226
How many times did they go up,Peter & did you calculate the rates per year or just from the last occasion?
Pity you're still not at Blakes, I'd send Nigel to debate this one with you.
Watty
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
2005 annual off street parking permit £200
2012 annual off street parking permit £370
Increase £170 in 7 years from £200 is a compound annual rate of change of 9.18 percent.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Paul Watkins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 9 Nov 2011
- Posts: 2,226
Well Peter, you've pointed out Annual season rates not the the meter rates that non season ticket holders paid.
I would have thought that at less than £8 per week for car parking the season ticket was good value, but let's not statistics get in the way.
Nigel's still waiting for your return!!
Watty
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
Annual season rates are what you pay as a resident of Castle St. In Farnham I pay £50 per annum.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson