A PLAN to charge drivers to
park for more than three hours in Knowle is to go to formal consultation.
Click the headline or link below to read the rest of this story.
Solihull Metropolitan Borough
Council has backed the proposals, aimed at freeing up spaces.
Drivers will need to display
a free ticket in the six car parks and then pay 50p for three to four hours; £1
for four to five hours; £1.50 for five to six hours and £2 for more than six
hours.
The changes would apply for
Monday to Saturday from 8am
to 6pm .
The council said an informal
consultation on the plans raised concerns about its impact on business, the
Village Hall and the lack of public transport as an alternative.
There were also concerns it
would push drivers onto residential streets.
A council report says: “However,
the scheme will provide a flexible approach to how the car parks are managed in
Knowle in the future, which will be monitored to review its impact and it will
also enable the car parks to generate an income.”
It adds: “The system will
also encourage customers to stay for less than three hours, which will allow
more customers to access the available local retails and leisure facilities.”
And it suggested the council
look at closing the road from High Street to St Johns Close as a “quick win” to
cut High Street congestion.
It says the plan is expected
to bring in £13,500 from 9,500 visits, giving £7,860 savings after operating
costs have been taken out.
The council has also proposed
a similar scheme for Shirley and a ticket-only system for free Malvern and
Brueton parks. Malvern maximum stays would be cut from three to two hours.
Click here to get stories by email.
