Car park consultation opens

Residents and businesses are being asked to have their say on Blaby District Council's new draft Car Parking Strategy for 2022-2027.

The Council is committed to investing in, and providing safe, secure and well-maintained car parks, and proposals in the new five-year strategy include ensuring that all costs are covered by users. This has resulted in the proposal to increase charges, in particular a cost of £1.00 for a two-hour stay in the Council's Pay and Display car parks, as well as an increase in the daily charge at Narborough Railway Station to £6.

The future ownership and management of District Council car parks is also part of the proposals, including the continued policy of seeking to transfer car parks to Parish Councils where it is supported.

A focus on climate change and the Council's commitment to supporting a carbon neutral district by 2050 also features in the plans, with the installation of LED lighting, continuation of the electric vehicle charging points and cycle racks.

Cashless machines are also proposed in the strategy as well as maintaining the current ability to pay by phone. Efforts will also be made throughout the strategy's duration to reduce costs where possible.

The consultation and draft summary strategy can be found by visiting www.blaby.gov.uk/consultations until Wednesday 01 June 2022.

Councillor Les Phillimore, Portfolio Holder for Housing, Community and Environmental Services, said: "Our last Car Park Strategy included our desire to transfer some of our car parks to Parish Councils, and we are delighted that eight have been transferred since 2017.

"We want to continue this policy and explore more opportunities for our car parks to secure their long-term future under the control of Parish Councils.

"Unfortunately the income from our car parks is not covering our operational and future maintenance costs, and this is why we have proposed to increase the two-hour tariff to £1.00 in our plans, which harmonises our car parking tariffs with neighbouring authorities.

"We know that any proposed increase in car parking charges is controversial, but we need to be realistic to reduce the wider taxpayer burden on our car parks and operate to the principle of the user pays. Free on-street parking is available within Blaby village centre.

"I want to urge people to fill this consultation in and have their say. The input of both residents and businesses is extremely important to us, so the more views we get the better."

No final decisions are expected to be made until a Full Council meeting in July, with any final changes implemented by October.