Decision details

1…Strategy review; and

2…Tariff review.

(1)        That the following revised District parking strategy be agreed for consultation with local businesses, business organisations and the residents:

(1)        In order to support the economic vitality of town centres and associated businesses, the following principles be considered:

            (a)        the provision and availability of short stay parking for up to five  hours;

            (b)        the introduction of linear tariffs (i.e. equal steps from one charging period to the next, such as 70 pence for each hour);

            (c)        differential tariffs for different locations;

            (d)        the continuation of limited free parking on Saturdays within each town centre; and

            (e)        the continuation of free parking in all car parks on Saturdays in December of each year;

(2)        The needs of locally based employers and their employees be recognised and that provision be made to facilitate their long stay parking;

(3)        The wish of residents and non-residents to use the Central Line to commute to work be recognised and facilitated, but that the costs of that parking properly reflect the comparative costs of parking in station and other private parking facilities;

(4)        In support of (1), (2) and (3) above, Council car parks be generally available for both short and long stay use but that the balance between those uses be controlled through:

            (a)        the retention of short stay only parking in designated locations (e.g. a five hour maximum stay);

            (b)        the tariff structure (to include season ticket arrangements);

            (c)        the promotion of season tickets, and subject to the available technology,   the       use of “smart cards”  for local employers and employees; and

            (d)        the balance of season ticket availability within car parks;

(5)        Given the difficulties of determining acceptable solutions for parking pressures around commuter stations within the District, the current policy of not undertaking any further wide area parking reviews once the existing commitments to Buckhurst Hill and Loughton, subject to available resources, have been delivered, be maintained. Following these implementations, all requests for further on-street controls or amendments to existing controls shall be referred directly to Essex County Council as the Highways Authority or to the North Essex Parking Partnership. The Council will, through its relationships with NEPP and the County Council, continue to seek to influence NEPP and the County Council in investigating on-street parking stress and determining and delivering solutions;

(6)        The need to encourage alternative modes of transport to the car are recognised. However, given that the availability of public transport is limited, particularly in the more rural areas the Council will continue to seek to influence the County Council to ensure the availability of appropriate public transport. It will also endeavour, through its adopted planning policies and development control powers when approving new developments, to seek to ensure a balance between:

            (a)        the need to have access to and use of a car; and

            (b)        the proximity of and availability of public transport;

(7)        The needs of those with disabilities be recognised and that:

            (a)        dedicated free spaces for holders of valid “blue badges” continue to be       provided in the Council’s car parks; and

            (b)        notwithstanding (a) above, a vehicle displaying a valid blue badge can park in any space within a Council car park at no charge; and

(8)        That the cleanliness and safety of the Council’s car parks be maintained such as to retain the accredited status of Park Mark.

(2)        That the following interim tariff structure be agreed to commence on 1 May 2014:

(3)        That a further report be received as early as possible in the new municipal year (2014/15) setting out proposals for new ‘smart’ meters and revised tariffs based on the consultation referred to above.