Council prepares to freeze parking charges

Residents and visitors to the Dover district are set to receive a New Year boost as the Council proposes freezing existing car parking charges in all Council car parks for the coming year.

This is great news for the mix of shoppers, visitors and workers that use these car parks and will encourage people to come shopping, supporting local businesses.

Car parks are a business that the Council runs and have to make sure they are viable and properly maintained and accredited. However, the Council is committed to maintaining the fairest deal possible for car park users despite the challenging economic climate. The proposed freeze on existing car park charges comes as a result of the Council listening to the needs of local businesses and residents.

After a three-year price freeze, car parking charges were reviewed in February 2011 and the hourly rate in most car parks was increased to 90p; Stembrook in Dover and Middle Street in Deal were raised to £1 an hour. In April 2012, all off-street parking charges, except for Stembrook and Middle Street, were increased to come into line at £1 an hour. The Council reviews car parking charges yearly and is proposing to freeze off-street car parking charges for 2013-14.

The Council has also agreed it should not extend the time period that car parking charges apply and to continue free Sunday and evening parking, where in place. Generally, parking in the Dover district is cheaper than our neighbouring authorities, who have longer charging hours and also charge from Monday to Sunday.

Once the Cabinet have debated the Budget and Medium Term Financial Plan, which include details on car parking charges, on 4 February 2013, it is expected to recommend the proposals to the full Council, which will vote on them on 6 March 2013.

Cllr Nigel Collor, Portfolio Holder for Access and Property Management said: "These are difficult times and the council is doing all it can to attract shoppers into our town centres to help our retailers. We want to encourage more people to visit the district and take full advantage of all it has to offer."