Parking to cost more in city of Sunderland

Big hole in Council finances due to parking shambles ... solution .... hike up parking charges to drive people out of the city. What is clear is that none of the councillors have ever been in business.

Sunderland Echo
Wednesday July 25, 2007

Businessman fears shoppers will transfer to out of city retail centres
By Sue Watson
Parking charges are set to rise across Wearside, it was revealed today.
The new fees, set by Sunderland City Council, come into force next month, and in most areas the prices will rise by 10p per hour, although in some cases the fare is being hiked up 10p for every 30 minutes.
But some campaigners fear the price rise will be an added reason for people not to shop or do business in the city.
Neil Heron, a businessman who has fought against parking tickets, said: "It is a very short-sighted measure. Parking at The Galleries in Washington and at the MetroCentre is free, so people can go and spend money without having to pay parking fees or having to clock-watch for fear of getting a huge fine."

On-street parking in Bridge Street, Foyle Street, Frederick Street, Norfolk Street, High Street West, St Thomas Street and West Sunniside will increase from 50p per 30 minutes to 60p.

Parking in Villiers Street and Charles Street, a total of 18 spaces, will increase from 40p per hour to 50p.

And, to park in one of the 11 spaces in Laura Street will cost 80p per hour compared to the 70p charge now.

However, three of the city's car parks will see no changes to their parking costs – St Mary's, which has 480 spaces; Central, which has 391 spaces and Gorse Road, where there are 54 car parking spaces.

Sunniside's 653 space car park will see prices increase from 60p to 80p per hour Monday to Saturday from 8am to 6pm, 30p to 40p per hour from 6pm to 8pm and on Sundays and Bank Holidays the charges will rise from 30p per hour to 40p per hour up to a maximum of £1.

At the Civic Centre car park, which has 630 spaces, the charges will rise from 60p to 70p per hour Monday to Saturday, 8am to 6pm.

The cost of parking at Boughton Street will rise from 70p per hour to 80p per hour and at Tavistock Place and Nile Street the cost will increase from 60p per hour to 70p.

Car park charges in Tatham Street, Charles Street and West Wear Street will go up by 10p per hour from 40p to 50p.

The new parking measures will come into place on Monday, August 13.

A spokesman for the Sunderland City Council said tariffs are set to ensure a reasonable turnover of car parking spaces which supports the viability of the city centre.

Increases are also made to cover costs involved in maintaining and operating car parks.

Coun Joe Lawson, Portfolio Holder for Planning and Transportation, said: "Parking has an impact on a range of urban policy goals involving transport, environment, economy and land use.

"The review of parking charges will assist in achieving the aims and objectives contained within the Parking Strategy and the Local Transport Plan."

The last major review of parking charges in the city was undertaken in January 2005 when the majority of parking charges were reviewed.
Last Updated: 24 July 2007 3:47 PM