Drivers will be able to use any space to park for free for 30 minutes in council car parks where charges were introduced last year, as part of a range of improvements to the scheme to be rolled out in May.
The change is among a number of measures that will make the scheme easier to use and promote the use of local high streets.
The updates are being unveiled following a series of face-to-face meetings, which has provided helpful feedback from local stakeholders, including Chambers of Commerce, Town and Parish Councils as well as individual traders and residents.
The mix of long and short stay tariffs will also be simplified, based on a years’ worth of practical experience and user feedback.
The changes will mean that:
• The 30 minutes of free parking will apply in all bays, not just those previously marked. The changes do not affect disabled blue badge holders who will continue to be able to park for free for up to four hours.
• All drivers will be required to register their vehicle either at the machine or via the app, even if they only intend to park for a 30-minute free stay.
• Drivers will be able to extend their stay at the machine, or by using the app so they do not have to return to the car park. If they do so, the first hour from when they arrive will be charged at 80p under the new tariff, which was agreed as part of this year’s Council budget in February. Expanding the number of free spaces and giving drivers the chance to easily extend their stay is a change that local traders and businesses were particularly keen to see.
• All car parks where both long and short stay rates and spaces have been in place, will move
to a simpler, single tariff.
South Gloucestershire Council Cabinet Member for Communities and Local Place, Cllr Sean Rhodes, said: “We introduced the scheme because as a council we need to be able to balance the books and to fund the vital services that so many people rely on.
“Implementation has been broadly successful. Residents and visitors have adapted to using the app well and our car parks where charging is in place are being used well.
“We deliberately kept the price as low as possible, much cheaper than many other councils in the region, but we have been listening to local people and businesses, which is why we are going to make these improvements.
“We have also been listening to our local traders and high streets and know that they are facing many challenges, common across the country, as people’s shopping habits continue to change. We continue to support our high streets and traders though a range of schemes and initiatives and this work goes on.
“We have to balance measures we can take to help keep our high streets thriving with the steps we need to take to maintain all council services in very difficult times financially.
“Crucially, we are generating much-needed revenue for the council, which as we go through our budget setting process for the coming year, takes some of the pressure off of needing to make cutbacks and to protect vital services, including social care support for older residents.”
The changes will come into effect once signage in the car parks, the council’s website and the MiPermit app have been updated. This is expected to be implemented in mid-June and the exact date will be announced in due course.