CAR parking charges are set to be slashed and a park and ride scheme introduced in Darlington as its council leader vows to “get shoppers in, get them parked and get them to stay”.

A raft of measures have been proposed by Darlington Borough Council in a bid to attract more shoppers to the town and manage parking in the run up to Christmas.

The proposals suggest halving charges in some car parks and implementing a three hours for the price of two initiative in others.

A park and ride scheme between Darlington College and the town centre would be introduced on Saturdays, signage throughout the town improved and a temporary car park set up to provide 110 extra spaces as part of a scheme estimated to cost £325,000 in its first year and £380,000 in its second.

The changes come following a bitter row between Darlington traders and the town’s council over parking policies.

In recent months, prominent traders have publicly called for change, with some business owners claiming the council’s policies were destroying trade and putting off visitors.

The council’s leader, Councillor Bill Dixon, said today’s proposed changes were a direct result of a series of meetings held with concerned traders in a bid to identify issues and implement improvements.

He claimed the measures could boost trade by improving footfall and would address a reduction in car parking spaces following the imminent closure of the Town Hall car park.

“The total cost is £325,000 this year and £380,000 next year which is significant but you can’t have an omelette unless you’re prepared to break some eggs,” said Coun Dixon.

The Northern Echo:

“This is the future of the town – it might cost a lot but shoppers are fickle and it would not be good if they get used to going somewhere else.

“By 2016, we’ll have a multi-storey car park and cinema complex up and running and things will look very different but we have to get to that point.

“It’s about getting people here and getting them to stay – that’s the job of the council and the job of the traders is to get them into their shops.”

The proposals outlined today are:

CHEAPER PARKING

A lower tariff of 50p per hour, reduced from £1 per hour, will be introduced in four of the council’s “less busy” car parks, namely East Street, Garden Street, Upper Archer Street and Chesnut Street.

Coun Dixon said: “Introducing a lower tariff will allow those who are price conscious to switch to these car parks which are not too far away from the centre.”

This proposal would be introduced by Wednesday, October 1 and would cost approximately £90,000 per year.

THREE HOURS FOR TWO

In a bid to encourage shoppers to stay longer, drivers paying for two or more hours in off-street council car parks will get an extra hour free from November, at an estimated cost of £175,000 per year.

PARK AND RIDE SCHEME

A Saturday Park and Ride scheme would run between Darlington College and the town centre to provide around 400 extra parking spaces during the peak parking period before Christmas.

Shoppers using the facility would pay £1 to park their car at the college before travelling to the town centre on a shuttle bus provided by Arriva.

The scheme would initially cost around £5,000 and could be extended to cover other sites and days if it proves popular.

SIGNAGE AND COMMUNICATION IMPROVEMENTS

A “communications plan” will be introduced to promote the town centre and inform visitors clearly as to where parking spaces are available.

Signage throughout the town centre will also be improved, with electronic signs indicating available spaces switched back on.

Improvements to the signage would cost £15,000 in capital and £5,000 to run annually.

TEMPORARY CAR PARK

At a cost of around £100,000, 110 temporary spaces will be created on a site adjacent to the town hall for the period up until the completion of the 650-space multi-storey car park currently in development.

Coun Dixon said all measures were to be thought of in the short-term and could be subject to change when the proposed pay-on-exit multi-storey car park – which is linked to the upcoming cinema development- is opened on Beaumont Street.

He said: “Once that is up and running, a lot of these things will become redundant but they will run over Christmas and perhaps beyond if still needed, or until the cinema development, which starts next May, is complete.”

The parking proposals outlined above are expected to be approved at an upcoming council meeting and would be implemented in full by the end of October.

THE proposals have met with a mixed reaction, with some traders saying they are “too little, too late” and others welcoming the news.

Trader Tina Ward, who owns children’s clothing shop Talulah, said the improvements came “not before time” but added: “It’s far too little, far too late. “Shoppers are being put off by constant road works, pedestrianisation and parking charges and they’re being pushed out and towards places like Teesside Park – it’s had a huge impact on trade.

“I think park and ride is a rubbish idea and pay-on-exit car parks are far too expensive.

“I’d like to see more free car parking, not all through the day but for two hours, like they did in Middlesbrough.”

In contrast, Peter and Suzanna Bulmer, who run the Waterhouse Kitchen in Darlington’s covered market, congratulated the council on the plans.

Mr Bulmer said: “We think it’s fabulous news and the park and ride will be good.

“Darlington’s a wonderful town and why should its population pay more to park?

“We’d like to congratulate them on making a good decision, it will definitely make a difference to traders as when you ask any of them what’s wrong with the town, the only answer is parking.”

Shoppers also welcomed the changes.

Laurence Plews, 69, said: “This can only be a good thing.

“I gave up driving into town and only come on the bus as I struggle to get parked so it’s good to hear.

“It’s going to make a positive difference and something needs to be done to help the traders because it must be a constant struggle for them at the moment.”

Louise Taylor, 24, said the changes would mean more shoppers visiting the town centre.

She said: “Whenever I drive in, I drive around until I find free spaces and cheaper parking is a great idea.”