SLDC to trial new car parking tariffs

30 May 2012

South Lakeland District Council is running a trial on car parking charges.

The trial will see different charges at four South Lakeland car parks introduced to see if usage can be increased and follows a car parking consultation. The consultation showed the public wanted different tariffs starting from half hour rather than an hour. A separate study showed that car parking usage was dropping as charges rose.

SLDC is hoping to increase usage by trialling an array of charges that would better suit the public such as a 20p for the initial half hour at Kirkby Lonsdale New Road and Grange Kents Bank Road car parks. At Blackhall Car Park Kendal, a 50p for the first half hour tariff will be trialled and at Stockbridge Lane car park in Ulverston, there will be a tariff of 20p per hour for four hours and £1 for 24 hours tariff temporarily introduced.

The trial will start following the installation of new car parking meters which have the technology to handle the new tariffs as well as give better feedback on car park usage. The temporary tariffs will be advertised so that the public are aware of them.

Cllr Ian Stewart, Portfolio holder for Economy and Enterprise, said: “As an authority we listen and where we can respond to what the public wants and needs. If a more flexible approach to car parking tariffs is needed then let’s give it a try. As such we are implementing the trials in response to what the public have said.”