Agenda item

This report presents the Parking Annual Report 2019-20 for Guildford and makes a number of recommendations to the Joint Committee in respect of on-street parking and the use of the surplus generated from this service. This report also explains the work carried out by parking services teams to support residents during the Covid19 pandemic.

The Guildford Joint Committee:

(i)      Noted the contents of Annexe 1, the Parking Annual Report for 2019-20 and the current and planned work associated with on street parking,

(ii)     Agreed to the formal advertisement of Surrey County Council’s intention to make an order to develop and consult upon the proposals prioritised by the P&AQWG below (para 1.4 refers)

(iii)    Agreed that implementation of the following two recommendations (approved by the Joint Committee in December 2019 but delayed due to Covid19) is carried over to 2021-22.

a.    Introduce Pay by Phone technology, providing customers more flexibility in payment options and extending visits,

b.    Recommend a review in conjunction with Surrey County Council on replacement of current on-street Pay & Display (P&D) equipment.

Reasons for recommendations:

(ii)    The locations discussed at the PAQWG will form the first element of this parking review cycle. These quick wins have received high levels of support or are small technical amendments to controls.

(iii)          a.       By introducing Pay by Phone technology in on-street parking locations, we can rationalise the number of P&D machines required and the amount of cash collections needed, while still offering customers the ability to pay by cash, as well as providing them with alternative, flexible payment options and easier ways to extend their stay,

b.       The current on-street P&D machines are all around 22 years old and only accept coins. Whilst they have performed well over that period, the machines look dated, are susceptible to increased security threats and the continued availability of spare parts is likely to become an issue.  The latest P&D machines have improved security features and provide improved customer experience, by offering more flexible payment options, such as contactless card payments.  Improved technology would also allow for reduced operating, maintenance costs, and enhanced management of the equipment, which are networked and are able to provide ‘real-time’ information.  In summary, the equipment would benefit from upgrading.

Declarations of Interest: None

Officers attending: Andy Harkin, Parking Manager, Chris Wheeler, Waste, Parking and Fleet Services Manager, Lisa Haydney, On-Street Parking Coordinator, Guildford Borough Council

Petitions, Public Questions, Statements: None

Member Discussion – key points:

Various aspects of the Parking Business Plan were discussed.

·         It was stated that the Parking & Air Quality working group had considered the background to the report in detail at its recent meeting and was happy with the recommendations.

·         Rolling out electric vehicle charging points will quickly become a major task given the government’s announcement of the end of the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in 2030. Where these are located, and who provides them (ie private or public interests), is still to be finalised, and the speed of development of battery and charger technology will have a bearing on any decisions that are taken. Borough and County Council officers are working together to develop plans for the provision of on-street charging points.

·         It was confirmed that there has been no change in Guildford Borough Council’s parking policy of encouraging users to drive ‘to not through’ Guildford, despite its intention to reduce car parking charges.

·         Onslow Park & Ride. The comment was made that this location is poorly sited for visitors to the town and that it could provide additional parking for the hospital ahead of businesses. There are restrictions relating to the lease and hours of use of this site, and currently it is being used as a covid-19 testing centre with its return to Park & Ride not expected before 2022. Any changes in how it is used will require a planning process, plus agreement from the bus company that it is commercially viable to extend the hours. Discussions with Stagecoach are ongoing on this and how best to build up Park & Ride business once covid-related restrictions are lifted.
Cllr Furniss asked for a timetable of the planning permission changes associated with Onslow Park & Ride and its operating hours to be presented to the committee.

·         Members asked for an earlier indication of roads in their areas that might be considered for inclusion on the list of ‘quick wins’.

·         Charges at Park & Ride sites could be levied per vehicle being parked rather than per passenger.

Cllr Spooner joined the meeting at this point.

Resolved:

The Guildford Joint Committee:

(i)      NOTED the contents of Annexe 1, the Parking Annual Report for 2019-20 and the current and planned work associated with on-street parking

(ii)     AGREED to the formal advertisement of Surrey County Council’s intention to make an order to develop and consult upon the proposals prioritised by the P&AQWG below (para 1.4 refers)

(iii)    AGREED that implementation of the following two recommendations (approved by the Joint Committee in December 2019 but delayed due to Covid19) is carried over to 2021-22.

a.    Introduce Pay by Phone technology, providing customers more flexibility in payment options and extending visits,

b.    Recommend a review in conjunction with Surrey County Council on replacement of current on-street Pay & Display (P&D) equipment.

Reasons for recommendations:

(ii)           The locations discussed at the P&AQWG will form the first element of this parking review cycle. These quick wins have received high levels of support or are small technical amendments to controls.

(iii)          a) By introducing Pay by Phone technology in on-street parking locations, we can rationalise the number of P&D machines required and the number of cash collections needed, while still offering customers the ability to pay by cash, as well as providing them with alternative, flexible payment options and easier ways to extend their stay,

b) The current on-street P&D machines are all around 22 years old and only accept coins. Whilst they have performed well over that period, the machines look dated, are susceptible to increased security threats and the continued availability of spare parts is likely to become an issue. The latest P&D machines have improved security features and provide improved customer experience, by offering more flexible payment options, such as contactless card payments. Improved technology would also allow for reduced operating, maintenance costs, and enhanced management of the equipment, which are networked and are able to provide ‘real-time’ information. In summary, the equipment would benefit from upgrading.