1. Review of Car
Parking Policy
Community Area
Forums Presentation
February 2013
2. • We operate 33 Pay & Display car parks
• Every household receives a free car park permit enabling
you to park free of charge in every District Council car park
before 11am and after 4pm every day
• We offer free parking to all after 2pm throughout December
• The Dales is a major visitor destination - 6.9m day visitors
p.a. - visitors therefore main source of income
• Annual car parking revenue circa £2 million per annum –
helps meet cost of services for residents, businesses and
visitors
• Without car parking income, Council Tax would have to rise
by over 35%
• Parking charges have remained frozen since Jan 2011. Car
parking policy last reviewed in 2003
3. From our Citizens Panel (Nov 12) we know that:
• 92% of residents used our car parks over the last year and
63% are satisfied with them
• Greatest usage is between 9am and 11am (62%)
• Most park for up to 2 hours (39%) and up to 1 hour (39%),
followed by up to 30 minutes (13%)
• 81% are normally exempt from payment
• 73% usually / always find a space
• 68% use their free residents’ parking permit at least once a
week
4. To review the Council’s current Car Parking
Policy having regard to the financial impact of
policies on the local economy and the Council’s
overall financial position, and to develop
recommendations for inclusion in a new Car
Parking Policy to be introduced in Autumn 2013.
Environment Committee November 2012
5. 1. Structure and level of charges
Including:
• Potential benefits of introducing a short stay charge for up
to 30 minutes in town centre car parks
• The advantages / disadvantages of a reduced charge for
evening parking in town centres
• Comparing car parking charges in the Derbyshire Dales
with those in districts with similar visitor profiles
6. 2. Concessions
Including:
• To review the cost and effectiveness of the existing free
residents free parking concession
• To review the cost of providing free car parking to blue
badge holders
7. 3. Provision
Including:
• Methods of payment – credit card, payment by phone, pay
on exit
• Identifying potential new town centre car parks
8. 4. Information and Promotion
Including:
• Improvements to car park signage
Exclusions e.g.
• Non Derbyshire Dales District Council car parks
• Enforcement
9. • District Council Area Community Forums (February)
• Focus Groups with traders, residents and stakeholder
organisations (March)
• Engagement with tourism bodies e.g. Visit Peak District and
users of Tourist Information Centres and Visitor Information
Points (March / April)
• Public consultation (survey), including via the website (April)
We want your views to help inform the new policy
10. 1. Structure and level of charges
84% of the Citizens’ Panel said that the District Council
should consider providing the option of a half hour charge
to support shoppers and the local economy. However, this
could reduce the District Council’s income from car parking,
needed to support public services.
Q1. What are your views on introducing a half hour charge
in town centre car parks?
11. 1. Structure and level of charges
Peak charging hours are currently 8.00am to 10.00pm every
day.
80% of the Citizens’ Panel said that the District Council
should consider applying lower parking charges after 6pm
daily to support the evening economy.
Q2. What are your views on introducing a lower evening
charge in town centre car parks?
12. 2. Concessions
In 2011/12, 33,500 free residents parking permits were
issued in the Dales.
Some councils allow free parking for residents in designated
car parks only, some offer it for fewer hours, some make an
annual charge for a residents’ permit and others offer no
residents’ parking concession at all.
Q3. What are your views on potentially charging for the
residents’ permit or restricting when / where it could be
used? Is there a way of enhancing the scheme for
residents if a charge was made?
13. 2. Concessions
In 2011/12, approx 5,000 residents held a Blue Badge
parking permit in the Dales. We estimate that a further
350,000 day visitors also hold a Blue Badge.
Some councils charge Blue Badge holders to park in
designated disabled spaces, but at a discount to normal
rates.
Q4. What are your views on potentially charging Blue Badge
holders to park in disabled spaces in District Council car
parks?
14. 3. Provision
49% of the Citizens’ Panel said that existing payment
methods in District Council car parks are good.
Some councils provide options to pay in different ways such
as by phone, credit card or payment on exit (barrier system).
Q5. What are your views on these or other alternative
methods of payment?
15. 3. Provision
56% of the Citizens’ Panel said that the District Council
should consider providing more car parking spaces in the
Dales. However, 73% said they usually / always find a space.
Q6. What are your views on the need for additional car
parking spaces in Dales town centres?
16. 4. Information and Promotion
Good directional signage is needed so people can easily find
car parks, especially in town centres. 45% of the Citizens’
Panel said that signage for District Council car parks is good.
Q7. What improvements do you think could be made to
signage directing people to car parks in Dales towns?
