Agenda item

This report presents the Parking Annual Report 2020-21 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 expands upon the Parking team’s work in support of residents and the national effort during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Joint Committee (Guildford):

(i)    noted the contents of Annexe 1, the Parking Annual Report for 2020-21 and the current and planned work associated with on street parking,   

(ii)   agreed to increase the tariff in the 2-hour max. stay pay and display and pay and display dual-use spaces from 80 pence per half hour to 90 pence per half hour, to be introduced on 1 July 2022.

(iii)   agreed to increase the tariff in the 3-hour maximum stay pay and display dual-use spaces from 60 pence per half hour to 80 pence per half hour, to be introduced on 1 July 2022.

(iv)  noted that the existing tariff in the 30-minute maximum stay pay and display and pay and display dual-use spaces of £1 for the half hour will remain unchanged, although as part of the current parking review, the intention is to extend the maximum period of stay within these spaces to 1 hour, to meet the changing needs of the high street retailers and their customers.

REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS:

Town centre parking:

·         is an enabler to around £150-200m of retail activity within the local economy, as well as supporting a wide variety of other business needs, and the needs of residents (Systra Parking Study 2020),

·         pricing is the primary mechanism with which to modify user behaviour, and in line with the 2016 Sustainable Parking Strategy, encourage more sustainable transportation modes, such as the Park and Ride, public transport, cycling and walking,

·         (normally) generates a significant surplus with which to invest in highway and transportation initiatives, such as Park and Ride.

Although pricing is the primary mechanism to modify behaviour, convenience is also a key factor in determining visitors’ choice of transportation mode and parking location. Therefore, although price increases may be perceived as being harmful for the local economy, particularly at a time when it is recovering from the pandemic, the provision of convenient, easy to use and good quality parking facilities are more important influencing factors.

This is supported by the fact that, in recent years, despite the incremental increases in the tariffs within the Guildford Borough Council’s (GBC’s) off-street public car parks, utilisation has not been greatly impacted. This is despite challenging conditions being experienced by the retail sector, even prior to the COVID pandemic.

However, by comparison, on-street parking has performed less well. This is despite the charges in the majority of paid-for spaces remaining static since 2014. There are a number of possible reasons for this. These include:

·         The reduction in the number of spaces

·         Changes in the nature of the businesses / vacant premises closest to the on-street spaces

·         Limited payment options

·         Restrictions on the flexibility of use (in relation to the 30min max stay bays)

In support of the “drive to and not through” philosophy, reinforced within the 2016 Sustainable Parking Strategy, the on-street parking charges have always been set at a premium rate above those in the off-street car parks, to reflect the greater convenience associated with the use of these spaces and to encourage turnover.

If the on-street spaces were cheaper than the off-street parking, then it may encourage motorists to circulate within the town centre, searching to find less-expensive on-street parking. This would be counter to both SCC and GBC’s objectives in respect to the climate change emergency, air quality and congestion.

At its 25 January 2022 Executive meeting, GBC agreed to increase the parking charges within the car parks in 2022-23. The recommendations within this report are intended to encourage visitors to consider more sustainable transportation choices, maintain the differential between the on- and off-street charges in support of the “drive to and not through” philosophy, and improve the financial position of the Guildford on-street account, to assist in its support of the Park and Ride, and other local highway and transportation initiatives.

It is recommended that the introduction of the price increases comes into effect on 1 July 2022, in order support the local economy in the immediate aftermath of the pandemic and the lifting of restrictions.

Even with the recommended price increase, the on-street charges will remain consistent with those levied in nearby towns and cities (see Annexe 2).

Declarations of Interest: None.

Officer in attendance: Andrew Harkin, Parking Lead, GBC

Petitions, Public Questions/Statements: None.

Member discussion – key points:

The Parking Lead read out a statement concerning the government grant, in response to queries that were raised at the last joint committee meeting. The parking portion of the grant had been journaled incorrectly in the accounts, being put against the off-street service rather than the on-street service. This had since been corrected.

The length of time needed for the processing of a carer’s parking permit was queried, to see if existing permits could be updated in a simpler way. This would be discussed with borough and county council officers.

There was discussion of the Park and Ride scheme. Consideration of plans to expand the scheme to the north of the town will continue. It was noted that a potential site in need of refurbishment exists that could replace the Spectrum site. Maintaining a difference between parking charges at Park and Ride sites and at car parks and on-street sites in Guildford centre is a key tool to encourage use of the Park and Ride.

Because there will be more electric vehicles in the future, the discounted prices they enjoyed for parking permits have been discontinued, along with those for smaller-engined vehicles, subject to the results of a public consultation on tariff changes for permits by the county council starting later in March. More detail would be provided on the arrangement regarding the discount for electric vehicles and the Parking Agreement between GBC and SCC.

The direct link between an increase in off-street parking charges and a corresponding increase in on-street charges was questioned, together with a query on the timing of the proposed increases given the progress still needed to return ‘high street shopping’ activity to pre-covid levels.

The recommendations were voted on individually with a show of hands.

i)              All agreed

ii)             In favour 5 – Against 4

iii)           In favour 5 – Against 4

iv)           In favour 5 – Against 4

Resolved:

The Joint Committee (Guildford):

(i)    noted the contents of Annexe 1, the Parking Annual Report for 2020-21 and the current and planned work associated with on street parking,   

(ii)   agreed to increase the tariff in the 2-hour max. stay pay and display and pay and display dual-use spaces from 80 pence per half hour to 90 pence per half hour, to be introduced on 1 July 2022.

(iii)   agreed to increase the tariff in the 3-hour maximum stay pay and display dual-use spaces from 60 pence per half hour to 80 pence per half hour, to be introduced on 1 July 2022.

(iv)  noted that the existing tariff in the 30-minute maximum stay pay and display and pay and display dual-use spaces of £1 for the half hour will remain unchanged, although as part of the current parking review, the intention is to extend the maximum period of stay within these spaces to 1 hour, to meet the changing needs of the high street retailers and their customers.

Reasons for recommendations:

Town centre parking:

·         is an enabler to around £150-200m of retail activity within the local economy, as well as supporting a wide variety of other business needs, and the needs of residents (Systra Parking Study 2020),

·         pricing is the primary mechanism with which to modify user behaviour, and in line with the 2016 Sustainable Parking Strategy, encourage more sustainable transportation modes, such as the Park and Ride, public transport, cycling and walking,

·         (normally) generates a significant surplus with which to invest in highway and transportation initiatives, such as Park and Ride.

Although pricing is the primary mechanism to modify behaviour, convenience is also a key factor in determining visitors’ choice of transportation mode and parking location. Therefore, although price increases may be perceived as being harmful for the local economy, particularly at a time when it is recovering from the pandemic, the provision of convenient, easy to use and good quality parking facilities are more important influencing factors.

This is supported by the fact that, in recent years, despite the incremental increases in the tariffs within the Guildford Borough Council’s (GBC’s) off-street public car parks, utilisation has not been greatly impacted. This is despite challenging conditions being experienced by the retail sector, even prior to the COVID pandemic.

However, by comparison, on-street parking has performed less well. This is despite the charges in the majority of paid-for spaces remaining static since 2014. There are a number of possible reasons for this. These include:

·         The reduction in the number of spaces

·         Changes in the nature of the businesses / vacant premises closest to the on-street spaces

·         Limited payment options

·         Restrictions on the flexibility of use (in relation to the 30min max stay bays)

In support of the “drive to and not through” philosophy, reinforced within the 2016 Sustainable Parking Strategy, the on-street parking charges have always been set at a premium rate above those in the off-street car parks, to reflect the greater convenience associated with the use of these spaces and to encourage turnover.

If the on-street spaces were cheaper than the off-street parking, then it may encourage motorists to circulate within the town centre, searching to find less-expensive on-street parking. This would be counter to both SCC and GBC’s objectives in respect to the climate change emergency, air quality and congestion.

At its 25 January 2022 Executive meeting, GBC agreed to increase the parking charges within the car parks in 2022-23. The recommendations within this report are intended to encourage visitors to consider more sustainable transportation choices, maintain the differential between the on- and off-street charges in support of the “drive to and not through” philosophy, and improve the financial position of the Guildford on-street account, to assist in its support of the Park and Ride, and other local highway and transportation initiatives.

It is recommended that the introduction of the price increases comes into effect on 1 July 2022, in order support the local economy in the immediate aftermath of the pandemic and the lifting of restrictions.

Even with the recommended price increase, the on-street charges will remain consistent with those levied in nearby towns and cities (see Annexe 2).