One of the key points in Mary Portas’ report detailing the reasons for the high street decline addressed the issue of town centre parking. Many drivers find that their local towns fail to provide adequate affordable parking, and as such turn to out of town retail parks where hundreds of spaces are on offer, usually free of charge.
However, thanks to new plans revealed by the government, it is hoped that this problem will become less of a factor standing in the way of high street recovery. Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles has argued that people should be allowed a “grace period” when popping into the shops by extending the amount of time vehicles can remain in parking bays and also by allowing drivers to park on double yellow lines for short periods.
Mr Pickles first attempted to address the issue in May, when he claimed that the fees charged by local authorities have become “ridiculously high” and have turned drivers into “cash cows”. Should the changes come into effect, no fee would be implemented for shoppers parked on double yellow lines for a maximum of 15 minutes, although a fine for dangerous parking could cost up to £130.
A source close to Mr Pickles says; “The High Street is in danger of shrinking or dying off, and over-aggressive parking enforcement is part of the reason why.
“If people are worried about paying a fortune in parking fines, it will make them more likely to do their shop online or go to out of town shopping centres.
“For too long parking has been a revenue raiser – it’s time to end that.”
However, while Mr Pickles hopes to introduce the new legislation over the next few months, he faces opposition from his coalition partners in the Liberal Democrat party. They are concerned that the grace period would prove “unworkable” and see irresponsible parking causing difficult, and potentially dangerous, traffic issues on high streets across the country.
The Lib Dems also wish to raise the cap on parking fines for all illegal parking, which at present sits at £130 in London and £70 throughout the rest of the country. While the Conservatives strongly oppose this, claiming that there are already too many ways in which the “state can fine you”, they are prepared to meet in the middle and allow higher parking fines for those who park dangerously outside the capital.
Yet Liberal Democrat transport minister Norman Baker believes that this concession simply isn’t enough.
He says; “We are keen to ensure that the High Street works for businesses by stopping people parking illegally for hours on end.
“This is about tackling motorists who are parked illegally, not about raising charges for those who park legally.”
With the recent spell of good weather giving the High Street a much-needed pick me up, there are hopes that this move could further strengthen the foundations of town centre recovery. However, should parking remain a problem as winter approaches, there is a high chance that consumers will once more revert to more car-friendly locations such as out of town shopping centres.
Do you think the Conservatives’ plan is reasonable, or will it lead to congestion issues and more illegal parking?
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