22 AUGUST 2007:  FOR the third year running, Harrogate Borough Council's review of car parking charges will not lead to increased costs for the city of Ripon.  However, this year's review will lead to small increases in Knaresborough the first for four years to bring the town into line with charges in Ripon.  These increases range between 10p and 20p.

 

There are no increases planned for Pateley Bridge and there is no intention to implement charges in rural car parks that currently have no charging policy in place.

 

In Harrogate, with the exception of Dragon Road car park, charges for parking during the day at surface level car parks will remain at their current levels

 

It has also been agreed that the charges for parking during the day at Victoria and Jubilee Multi-storey car parks in Harrogate will be retained.  However, the current evening charges in Harrogate are insufficient to cover their operational costs and it has been agreed to increase the evening charge at the Jubilee MSCP to £2 and the surface level car parks to £1 which both offer value for money.  At the Jubilee, theatre goers or diners can be assured their car is safe and available to them up until midnight for just £2.

 

Harrogate Borough Council's transportation policy in respect of parking is to favour short stay parking and encourage people who want to park for longer to walk, cycle and use public transport. 

 

Councillor Don Mackenzie, Cabinet Member for Planning and Transport, said parking charges support a wide range of council services, such as street cleansing, refuse collection and CCTV cameras and added that short stay parking for shoppers plays a major part in maintaining the vitality and viability of town centres.  He said:  "It is important that we keep an adequate supply of short stay car parking space free for shoppers and visitors.  We also have to balance the costs.  I think this review has done that in as fair a way as possible.  I have also reviewed the length of stay allowed at the upper level of Victoria Grove car park in Ripon, which was reduced to two hours some time ago to increase turnover.  The expected improvements have not materialised and I have agreed to reinstate the four hour maximum stay."

 

Over £240,000 has been set aside this financial year for new parking provision in market towns and the council will be looking to continue with the same investment next year.

 

Harrogate Borough Council is also concerned that the Government will be seriously under-funding grants to councils to introduce the new concessionary fares scheme  offering free travel across the country for those who are disabled or aged 60 plus. This is expected to come into effect on 1 April 2008.  The council is looking at a cost in excess of £1m and to help it fund this extra call on its resources it will increase on-street car parking charges by 10p per 30 minutes stay. ENDS