SOUTH Gloucestershire Council has confirmed the date when parking will be free for the first half hour in all of its car parks where charges were introduced last year.
The authority says the change will take effect on June 29, and will “make the scheme easier to use and promote the use of local high streets”.
But traders in Winterbourne, where charges were introduced in the 53-space Flaxpits Lane car park, say the concession is not enough.
They are calling on the authority to expand the period of free parking to between one and two hours.
When charges were introduced last May a small number of spaces in each car park were free for 30 minutes. The new rule will apply to any space.
The council is also changing time limits, so all spaces can be used for long and short stays.
But the cost of parking is going up for stays of between 30 minutes and three hours.
An hour’s stay will rise from 70p to 80p, two hours will rise from £1.30 to £1.40, and three hours will go up from £3 to £3.20 – although the £3.20 rate will now apply to stays of up to four hours, and parking for more than four hours will cost £4.20.
Season ticket prices are being reduced, and blue badge holders will continue to be able to park free for up to four hours.
All drivers, including those parking for a 30-minute free stay, will have to register their vehicle at a ticket machine or via the council’s parking app, and will be able to extend stays.
Winterbourne traders, who say trade and footfall has been badly affected by the charges, welcomed the change – but said it would not help everyone.
‘It’s not going to help me’
Terrence Bone, who owns Motorwell car accessories shop, said: “Anything free is welcome but somebody could wait for 30 minutes to be served. If people come into my shop to fit a new battery, they need two hours.
“Why should we have to pay for parking when Abbotswood shopping centre in Yate is free?”
Emma Gentry, owner of Daisy’s Coffee Shop, said the decision was “really good” for villagers popping to the shops but added: “It’s not going to help me personally, as we don’t have people who stay less than 30 minutes.
“It’s a great initiative, but still a push for the elderly to register their car, get out and walk to three shops and back again in 30 minutes.”
She said making the first hour free would be “great”.
In February the council temporarily suspended charges in the car park during roadworks – traders said they were busier as a result.
A council spokesperson said the changes follow a series of face-to-face meetings with traders groups, residents and town councils, adding: “Expanding the number of free spaces and giving drivers the chance to easily extend their stay is a change that local traders and businesses were particularly keen to see.”
The council brought in charges in 22 car parks last May, raising £750,000.
Cabinet councillor Sean Rhodes said: “We have to balance measures we can take to help keep our high streets thriving with the steps we need to take to maintain all council services in very difficult times financially.”
Top picture: Flaxpits Lane car park near-empty in a photo taken by a trader in the middle of a weekday morning, earlier this year.