6:00pm Wednesday 8th July 2009
By Paul Cook
ON-STREET parking charges in Darlington are to rise by 25 per cent to bring them in line with other car parks.
Members of Darlington Borough Council's cabinet group backed the proposals to raise the parking rates, which could increase annual revenue by £25,000.
However, leader of the opposition Conservative group challenged the timing of the decision because it sent out the wrong message to shoppers.
Council officers had recommended to the cabinet that on-street charges should be increased from 40p per half-hour to 50p, and from 80p per hour to £1.
The report added: "The recommendation is supported to achieve consistency between off-street and on-street parking charges."
In February, the council had increased the hourly rates in short stay car parks from 80p to £1.
The report said there had been no complaints to the increase but it had resulted in confusion because of the difference in charges.
It added that no consultation had been carried out into on-street changes but there had been no adverse feedback to previous consultation for the earlier changes.
Councillor David Lyonette, cabinet member for transport, said the changes should possibly have been done earlier.
His predecessor Nick Wallis said: "This is a straight-forward tidying-up exercise. It is important we set charges to be the best in the region.
"This is in line with many of our competitors in the region."
Councillor Heather Scott, leader of the Conservatives, said: "Is this the right time to be doing this tidying up exercise?
"We want to get more people into the town. I feel this is sending out the wrong message at the wrong time.
"It will be interesting to see how much difference this makes to the budget. Instead we should be doing more to encourage people into the town."
Although no specific consultation was carried out, council leader John Williams said he had received no criticism from traders to whom he had spoken.
He added: "We will do everything we can to encourage people into Darlington."
The council has 27 designated on-street parking areas, which charge either from Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm or Monday to Saturday 8am to 6pm.
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