Melton motorists urged to have say on council's proposed car parking changes

If agreed the borough council’s proposals would see the cost of an hour’s short stay parking rise from 70p to 80p, £1.40 to £1.60 for up to two hours and £2 to £2.60 for up to three hours. Motorists would also be able to park for up to four hours in the council’s short stay car parks, costing £3, and park for free for up to 20 minutes.

Short stay parking on Tuesdays would also go up, with visitors having an additional option of parking for up to 20 minutes for 20p.

One hour’s short stay parking on Tuesdays would rise from £1.10 to £1.30, from £2.20 to £2.50 for up to two hours and from £3.30 to £3.70 for up to three hours.

The proposed new long stay car parking charges would be £1.50 for up to three hours and £3.50 for all day. On Tuesdays the new charges would be £3 for up to three hour and £4 for all day.

The cost of a weekly ticket would rise from £7 to £12 and season ticket prices would rise from £180 to £220 (six months) and from £330 to £390 (12 months). Monthly season tickets would be available for £40.

As part of its consultation the council also wants the public’s views on proposals to re-designate most of the Burton Street car park into short stay, but retaining some area for long stay, and removing the current one-hour tariff at its Mill Street car park - clarifying its long stay status.

A council spokesman said: “We recently approved a car and coach parking strategy which made a number of recommendations. These included reviewing the car park tariffs, assessing the mix of long and short stay car parks to ensure they’re appropriately used, exploring a more customer-focused and flexible payment method and improving signage.

“The last Increase in car parking charges was approved in 2011 and we feel this will make better and more appropriate use of our car parks.

“Any additional income will help deliver initiatives like RinGo (more customer friendly payment), better signage and works to improve the car parks.

“We feel this pricing strategy will help the town in regards to assisting with very short trips, the availability of longer stay when demand is high and avoiding congestion by making adequate short stay provision from the south.”

l You can give your views to the council by visiting http://melton.gov.uk/carparkchanges?platform=hootsuite

The consultation ends on Friday, February 26.