Agenda item

Councillor Keith Henson, Cabinet Member outlined the report upon the

On-street Charges for Parking Proposals - Aberystwyth Promenade

and Mr Rhodri Llwyd. Corporate Lead Officer, Highways and Environmental Services subsequently provided Members with a detailed power point presentation on the proposals. The following information was provided:-

 

•         Background

o        Origins in previous studies:

o        Aberystwyth Masterplan: Transportation Statement 2006

o        Capita Report 2016

o        Strike a balance between the needs of access to services, residents, businesses, students and visitors to the town

 

•         Enabling Legislation

•         Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (RTRA)

•         S45-S46 enables the designation of charged for parking places on highways

•         Changes will require the making of a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO), which will be subject to public consultation

•         S55 of the RTRA requires the LA to keep account of income and expenditure

•         Surplus may be used for items such as:

•         Making good deficits in the parking account

•         Meeting the cost of off-street parking infrastructure

•         Public bus services

•         Highway improvements

•         Environmental improvements

•         Proposal

o        The principle for charging may not be popular or accepted by all

o        The proposal provides for greater availability of parking by increasing turnover without negatively impacting on the economy of the town or wellbeing of its residents

 

•         The Case for Change – Scheme Benefits

o        Increased on-street parking turnover

o        Anticipated increased trade

o        Greater use of public transport

o        Reduction in traffic congestion

o        Improved traffic flows

o        Greater levels of active travel

 

•         Arrangements for Blue Badge Holders

o        Blue Badge holders would be:

o        exempt from charges when parking in a charged for space

o        exempt from any limit on maximum period of stay within a charged for space

 

•         Charging Structure

o        £3.50 for 2hrs

o        £5.00 for 4hrs

 

•         Charging Assumptions

o        Charging from Castle Point to Constitution Hill

o        8am to 8pm

o        Mon – Sun (7 days/week)

o        Options for 2hr or 4hr parking

o        Payment by app/phone or by cashless P&D machines

 

 

Following questions from the floor and clarification on the proposals, the Chair requested any other amendments/proposals from the Committee to recommend to Cabinet, however, none were forthcoming. It was RESOLVED that a recorded vote be taken and the voting was as follows: -

 

For: Councillors Chris James and Maldwyn Lewis (2)

 

Against: Gwyn Wigley Evans, Shelly Childs, Gethin Davies, Meirion Davies, Wyn Evans, Sian Maehrlein, John Roberts and Carl Worrall (8)

 

 

Abstention: Councillor Marc Davies (1)

 

It was therefore agreed not to support the proposals put forward in relation to the introduction of charged for parking along the Promenade in Aberystwyth.