TRADERS say a council decision to temporarily bring back free parking in Winterbourne has been a big boost for business and residents.
South Gloucestershire Council suspended charges in the 53-space Flaxpits Lane car park in February for roadworks which have taken out some of the on-street parking spaces, as a power cable is laid.
Terrence Bone, who owns Motorwell car accessories shop, said he had urged the council to agree to free parking – and says footfall and trade has improved as a result, although some customers hadn’t realised the shop was still open, because contractors have stored materials in the on-street parking bays.
Residents have also found it easier to park outside their homes, because shop workers and customers had gone back to using the car park.
He said last year’s introduction of charges at Flaxpits Lane saw his trade fall by hundreds of pounds a day.
At a meeting last summer, Terrence told councillors the charges were “destroying” Flaxpits Lane businesses.
He said: “I was told they had to leave it six to eight months to see the long-term results.”
Estate agent Andrew Maunder, of AJ Homes, said it had been “like the old days” since charges were suspended.
He said: “It’s been fantastic.
“One day I had three people sitting here waiting to speak with me – I haven’t had that in my office since the car parking charges were introduced.
“It was not for something specific, but a discussion – and then they went across the road to the café.
“Genuinely, we have seen a marked increase in footfall in the area.
“When you go out there now, the car park is like it used to be. It is used so much now that we have got traffic lights at the entrance to move people in and out.”
Council income below target
Andrew said that since the introduction of the charges last May there had been “only two or three cars” in the car park at most times.
He questioned whether the charges had “achieved the results” the council expected when it introduced them in 22 car parks last May, with the aim of raising £800,000 a year.
The Voice has repeatedly asked the council for usage figures for car parks, including Flaxpits Lane, since the charges were introduced.
It has not supplied any detailed figures for Winterbourne but said in February that it expects the charges to raise £557,000 during the current financial year – about 30% below target – and £630,000 for the first full year of operation to May – 21% below the target.
Cabinet member for communities Sean Rhodes said: “Implementation has been broadly successful.”
Charges are due to be reintroduced at Flaxpits Lane once the road works are finished: the council currently say this will be by tomorrow (Friday March 6).
Top picture: Cars filled Flaxpits Lane car park after charges were suspended. Photo by Andrew Maunder