An above-inflation rise in Brighton and Hove parking charges is being planned to reduce congestion and pollution.
In line with Green Party policy, increases of up to 16.4 per cent at the city’s car parks and up to 7.7 per cent for on-street spaces are being proposed for 2015-16.
The full charges can be read from page 45 onwards in this report, to be considered by Brighton and Hove City Council‘s Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee next Tuesday (20 January).
The report, which states the new charges have been made to reflect the administration’s traffic management policies, said: “In some parts of Brighton and Hove, levels of nitrogen oxides are double European and English legal limits.
“As part of a range of measures to improve air quality, such as the introduction of a Low Emission Zone, parking charges in this area can help to encourage less polluting travel options and reduce emissions.
“In addition, congestion in the central area can affect the reliability of journey times and long-term parking can reduce accessibility and the turnover of spaces.
“Parking charges can help to encourage alternative transport choices and higher turnover of spaces. Better accessibility helps to support local businesses.”
Car park increases include increasing the first hour weekday rate at The Lanes and Regency Square car parks from £1 to £2. All other charges at The Lanes will stay the same while charges at Regency Square will be reduced between 20 per cent and 53.8 per cent to encourage drivers to park outside the city centre.
Fees will be increased at London Road by an average of 3.3 per cent, at Trafalgar Street by an average of 16.4 per cent and other car parks by an average of 3.9 per cent.
On-street fees will rise by an average of 4.2 per cent in the high demand zone, by 3 per cent in the medium demand zone and by 2.5 per cent in the low demand zone.
Parking permits will go up by an average of 3.3 per cent, with a standard one-year resident’s parking permit increasing from £120 to £125.
In 2013-14 the council made an £11.5 million surplus from on-street parking charges which was used to fund concessionary fares, capital investment borrowing costs, supported bus services and other public transport services on which a total of £14.7 million was spent.
If the higher fees are approved, the council expects to make £20.7 million from on-street parking and £6.1 million from off-street parking in 2015-16.
