Archived decisions

Contact: Mandy Ware, tel 01962 857818 email: [email protected]

1. Introduction

1.1 Eastleigh Borough Council has proposed the introduction of on-street parking charges for limited period parking spaces at selected town centre locations within the borough for which no fee is currently payable.

1 Background

1.1 The County Council has previously approved the introduction of on-street charging in Southampton and Portsmouth prior to Local Government reorganisation in 1997, in Winchester in 2002 and in Rushmoor in 2004.

1.2 Since 1 October 2004 Eastleigh Borough Council has undertaken parking enforcement in the borough for both on- and off-street parking. This takes place under the provisions of Decriminalised Parking Enforcement (DPE), and on-street parking enforcement is carried out by the Borough Council under a Parking Enforcement Agency Agreement with the County Council.

1.3 Under a Traffic Management Agency Agreement with the County Council, the Borough Council has responsibility for the consideration, progression and implementation of traffic management initiatives within the borough and has progressed the issue of applying on-street parking charges to a stage where the Traffic Regulation Order has been advertised, but has not been determined by the Borough Council pending approval by the County Council.

1.4 The proposed introduction of on-street parking charges at selected town centre locations in Eastleigh is considered an essential element of the parking management in the borough. A premium charge at these locations is intended to be a more effective and consistent means of regulating parking, encouraging a higher level of compliance, making enforcement easier due to the requirement for parking tickets to be displayed and maintaining a higher level of parking space availability.

2.5 Under current legislation, revenue accrued from on-street charges is put towards the operational costs of the parking account and any surplus generated is used for highways and transport improvements. The Parking Enforcement Agency Agreement defines the use of any surplus in this way and makes provision for the approval of the County Council. This Agreement also requires parking charges to be subject to annual review.

2 Charges Proposed by Eastleigh Borough Council

2.1 Eastleigh's off-street charges from March 2005 are 60p per hour in the town centre car parks. The proposed on-street charges are 30p for 30 minutes at the selected town centre locations where a need has been identified. The locations proposed (see attached plan) are Market Street, High Street, Blenheim Road, Leigh Road (near the park) and Leigh Road (near the shops). These locations are already subject to a Traffic Regulation Order that limits waiting to 30 minutes in the High Street and Market Street, and 60 minutes in Blenheim Road and Leigh Road. It is anticipated that the introduction of on-street charging will reduce the level of overstaying, currently 20-25% within High Street and Market Street, and 6-8% within Blenheim Road and Leigh Road. Within the town centre there are approximately eight off-street car parks that can accommodate those wishing to park for longer periods.

4. Commentary

4.1 The use of various levels of parking charge helps to regulate parking trends and motorists' behaviour. The establishment of alternative parking facilities and charges encourages motorists to use facilities appropriate to their needs. The implementation of a parking charge and the requirement to display a ticket would make compliance more likely and enforcement more efficient, since the parking attendant need only inspect the vehicle for a valid ticket rather than patrol the zone in anticipation of a vehicle exceeding the permitted waiting time.

4.2 The implementation of parking charges would be at the stated locations only, typically where on-street parking is available in close proximity to shops or businesses creating a `pop-in' facility. The means of payment would be via ticket machines. The `freeing up' of short stay parking at these locations is seen as vital to maintaining access and availability of appropriate parking facilities to those who need them.

5. Financial Implications

5.1 Income from on-street charging would accrue to the DPE on-street fund that is in turn subject to annual reporting.

5.2 The additional income from the introduction of on-street charging is estimated at between £78,500 and £110,000 per annum, based on 50% to 70% occupancy. The income generated within the first year of operation will adequately cover the set-up costs and serve to increase the DPE fund thereafter. There is no cost implication to the County Council.

6. Impact Assessments

6.1 The introduction of on-street charging will benefit all sectors of the community through improved parking control and increased availability of short stay parking. Disabled motorists displaying a valid blue disabled parking badge will be exempt from the parking charges.

6.2 The proposed introduction of parking charges is not expected to compromise equalities in terms of race and gender, therefore an impact assessment in terms of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act has not been undertaken.

7. Conclusion

7.1 The introduction of on-street charges in Eastleigh would follow the precedent set by the County Council prior to and following Local Government reorganisation. Legislation provides for the implementation of on-street charging and Agency Agreements provide for how the income is reported and the surplus used. The Parking Enforcement Agency Agreement with the Borough Council requires the consent of the County Council to implement or review charges, but also determines that consent shall not unreasonably be withheld or delayed. The implementation of on-street charging is regarded as an essential element of Eastleigh Borough Council's parking management and will be delivered by Eastleigh Borough Council under the Traffic Management Agency Agreement.

Recommendation

That approval be given to the introduction of on-street parking charges in Eastleigh, as governed by Section 45 of the Road Traffic Act 1984.

638Rpt/MW