Archived decisions

Contact: Nick Richardson, ext 5429

1. Summary

1.1 Winchester City Council has proposed the introduction of on-street parking charges for limited period parking spaces in the city centre for which no fee is currently payable. The overall parking strategy is an important element of the Winchester Movement and Access Plan (WMAP).

2. Background

2.1 The issue of on-street parking charges is not new to the County Council. Charges for on-street parking were levied in Southampton and Portsmouth, the surplus passing to the County Council as highway authority until Local Government Reorganisation in 1997. A number of authorities operate a similar on-street scheme to that proposed, alongside Park and Ride, including Bath, Oxford and Guildford.

2.2 Under the current legislative arrangements, revenue accrued from on-street charges is put towards the operational costs of the parking account (equipment, staff, etc) and any surplus generated is used under the terms stated by the legislation set out in the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984: Section 55). This requires that surplus funds be used on an hierarchical basis for off-street parking, public transport services or a highway or road improvement project (see appendix). This principle could apply across the county in future.

2.3 The agency agreement between the County Council and Winchester City Council requires that any surplus from the parking account should be directed towards parking, highways or transportation purposes with the approval of the County Council.

3. Charges Proposed by Winchester City Council

3.1 Winchester City Council proposes that a charge of 30 pence per half hour (maximum one hour) be made for each space. This would apply to around 130 spaces in total.

4. Commentary

4.1 A number of different types of parking provision exist in Winchester including off-street long and short stay, on-street residents' permit spaces in controlled zones, Park and Ride, and private non-residential spaces. The on-street limited stay spaces, for which no charge is currently made, would be subject to charges under the proposal. This variety of parking provision allows motorists to choose where they wish to park and the amount they pay.

4.2 The charges levied for the different types of parking space act as a means of control in that they help determine motorists' behaviour. These can be varied provided that the revenue raised covers the cost of providing the parking service. However, it is important to maintain the differential between charges for Park and Ride and those for city centre parking.

4.3 The limited number of on-street spaces available could command a premium rate, particularly as off-street car parks provide an adequate supply of short term spaces. The suggested charge for on-street spaces does not reflect the value of these spaces. A charge of, say, 50 pence may be more appropriate. Higher charges would deter `searching' traffic movements but maintain a facility for people wishing to park for a minimal period.

4.4 It is also important to recognise that this principle is one which could be extended to other areas as appropriate as part of a coherent parking strategy.

5. Legal Implications

5.1 The necessary statutory procedures will be followed to introduce the on-street parking charges.

6. Conclusion

6.1 The introduction of on-street parking charges in Winchester would follow the precedent set with the County Council's involvement prior to Local Government Reorganisation. Legislation determines how on-street surplus funds can be used, and for Winchester this has been included through the agency agreement covering parking revenue. The on-street charges proposed reflect the variety of parking provision available in Winchester and could be charged at a premium rate.

Recommendations

1. That the County Council has no objection in principle to on-street parking charges (monies accruing to the County Council) but the charges levied must be at a premium rate as part of an overall parking strategy.

2. That the account for any on-street car parking charges is transparent.

3. That matters regarding parking revenue and expenditure are kept under review.

7023/NR

APPENDIX

USE OF ON-STREET PARKING SURPLUS

(Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984: Section 55)

(a) The making good to the general rate fund of any amount charged to that fund in the four years immediately preceding the financial year in question;

(b) meeting all or part of the cost of the provision and maintenance by the local authority of off-street parking accommodation, whether in the open or under cover;

(c) the making to other local authorities or to other persons of contributions towards the cost of the provision and maintenance by them, in the area of the local authority or elsewhere, of off-street parking accommodation, whether in the open or under cover; and

(d) if it appears to the local authority that the provision in their area of further off-street parking accommodation is unnecessary or undesirable, the following purposes:

(i) meeting costs incurred, whether by the local authority or by some other person, in the provision or operation of, or of facilities for, public passenger transport services; and

(ii) the purposes of a highway or road improvement project in the local authority's area.

(e) for the purpose of (d)(ii) above:

(i) a highway improvement project means a project connected with the carrying out by an appropriate highway authority (whether the local authority or not) of any operation which constitutes the improvement (within the meaning of the Highways Act 1980) of a highway in the area of a local authority in England and Wales.