Car parking charges to be frozen
Charges in council-run car parks in
Dover district are expected to remain the same for the next 12
months.
Councillors say they hope it will
encourage more people to shop in the area and to support local
businesses.
Cllr Nigel Collor, portfolio holder
for access and property management, said: "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, with the charge at
Stembrook in Dover and Middle Street in Deal being raised to £1 an
hour.
In April last year, all off-street parking
charges, except for Stembrook and Middle Street, were increased to
come into line at £1 an hour.
Councillors are now proposing to
freeze off-street car parking charges for 2013-14, to keep the
times during which charges apply the same and to continue free
Sunday and evening parking where it already exists.
Cllr Collor (pictured left) 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."
Full story in this week's
Dover Mercury and East Kent Mercury.
08/01/13
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