Businesses to cash-in on parking charges

Mendip businesses are set to cash-in on new parking charges which aim to encourage shoppers into town centres.

A new way forward for Mendip's car parks was agreed by Mendip District Council last night (Monday) to help bring increased numbers of shoppers into town centres, and encourage all-day workers to park in more under-used car parks on the edge of towns.

As an incentive and to encourage more users, longer periods of parking at these 'out of town centre' facilities will be offered at reduced cost.

It is hoped that by encouraging better use of these car parks this will free up more space in town centres.

As part of the changes, which will take effect from April, some charges will increase while just as many will fall to help balance out any changes.

The idea behind this new structure is not for the council to instantly increase its car park income, in fact the changes won't have any immediate effect on car park finance, but instead to better manage and use the range of car parks available.

However, it is expected that in time, better and more increased use of car parks will generate extra income.

The new structure maintains eight free parking areas in the district, highlights car parks which should be promoted primarily for business parking, discourages some car parks from providing all day parking, includes new tariff periods such as three and four hour stays as well as shorter periods such as 30 minutes.

Cllr Ron Forrest, who is the council's portfolio holder for economy, said: "The council recognises that in the current climate it would not be appropriate for us to increase charges in car parks right across Mendip, and instead have taken a sensible approach to how we manage them.

"We have put supporting local businesses and the economy right at the heart of this year's review. We recognise that car parks are an important lifeline for our local town centres and businesses which is why these new changes reflect a move to encourage more shoppers into Mendip while urging all day parkers to use under-used parking spaces."

As well as changes to car parking charges, there continues to remain significant discounts for motorists wanting to buy season tickets for selected car parks in the district.

Discounts ranging from 47% to 77% off the usual cost are in place to help support businesses and workers in Mendip.

Consultations on the overall new structure have been made with a number of local organisations including town and parish councils, and their views formed part of the discussion for councillors on Mendip's cabinet who last night gave the new structure the go-ahead.

All the changes will take effect by the end of April.