Agenda item

To approve a scheme of charges for canal side car parks within Hart District with Reading Road Car Park, Fleet being used as a trial.

Declarations of interest:

None.

Officers:

Fiona Shipp, Canal Manager, Basingstoke Canal Authority

Key points raised during the discussion:

1.    The Canal Manager explained that the Canal Authority and Hart District Council had received a number of complaints regarding the Reading Road car park in Fleet as there were a number of people parking for a full day which meant canal users were unable to park. It was believed that local businesses were using the car park for free.

2.    Officers felt that a long term solution would be to implement parking charges to this car park which would make parking for a full day expensive, but inexpensive for short stay users to ensure canal visitors would be able to park.

3.    Requesting a parking order amendment would cost around £6,000 so it was felt that it would be sensible to include all other canal car parks within Hart District at the same time, but it was stated that there was currently no intention to introduce charges in the more rural car park. It was felt by the Committee that it would make things easier and save on resources charges were it felt necessary at these car parks in the future. Officers suggested the next car park which could be considered is the Scotland Road Bridge car park which had similar issues as the Reading Road car park, however a separate report and an amendment would be required to Runnymede’s off-street parking order for this car park.

4.    Members suggested removing recommendation (e) in the report which provided a reference to a phased implementation of parking charges across other car parks in Hart, as it was felt unnecessary at these car parks at this time, and the Committee would sanction any change in this policy. Officers agreed that this reference could be removed.

5.    Members queried if the Basingstoke Canal Society were doing work to the canal in the Reading Road area whether they would be required to pay to park their vehicle. Officers suggested that the Canal Society could be given a permit which would give their works vehicle free parking.

6.    One suggestion was that it may be beneficial for the charges to be simplified to £1, £3 and £7; though it was suggested that as the ticket machines were able to take cash, card or Hart District Council smart cards this would not be necessary.

RESOLVED: That the Joint Management Committee

1.    Approve and authorise the Basingstoke Canal Authority (BCA) to collect the car parking fees at Reading Road Car Park in Fleet in conjunction with Hart District Council on behalf of Hampshire County Council and expend the proceeds in maintaining the Canal.

2.    Authorise the BCA to apply for a change to the parking order to include other Hart District sites – Barley Mow, Crookham Wharf and Colt Hill – to save costs at a later date should it be decided to extend parking charges, but that the introduction of any new charges would first be brought to the Joint Management Committee.

3.    Authorise the BCA to set an appropriate scale of charging in conjunction with Hart District Council

4.    Authorise the BCA to use their discretion in issuing season tickets and free permits to selected car park users.

5.    Authorise the BCA to review car parking in other Districts / Boroughs and seek further authority to implement car park charging in those areas. This would include Farborough Road, Aldershot, Scotland Road Bridge Road, Woodham and The Canal Centre, Mytchett.

Recommendations:

None.

Actions/ further information to be provided:

None.

Committee next steps:

The Joint Management Committee to review further implementation of car parking charges and additional car parks if deemed necessary and appropriate.