Parking charges across Durham City will increase this Spring.

Durham County Council’s proposals for on and off-street parking were approved on Monday despite concerns that it will deter people from visiting and impact local businesses. 

The council said the new measures will help reduce congestion and emissions and bring council-owned car parks in line with private sector parking providers in the City.

Prices for on-street parking are due to rise from 20p-80p a half hour to 30p-90p between 8am-6pm. For off-street parking, charges at all council-owned car parks will also rise. New prices will see visitors pay up to 20p more per hour, including Sundays, at The Sands, Providence Row and Sidegate.

Park and Ride services at Belmont and Sniperley will be extended to operate on Sundays, with some concessionary fares increasing by up to 30p. 

The local authority said parking charges are currently in place Monday-Saturday to reflect the core times when parking demand exceeds supply and causes problems for residents and their visitors and visitors to the city. 

But in the 20 years since introducing the charging regime, the council argued Sunday trading has been relaxed to the extent that almost all commercial outlets in the city are now trading. This has given rise to free on-street bays and residential streets being occupied at the start of the day by long stay parkers to the detriment of visitors and residents alike - and is evident by the queuing observed at city centre private car parks.

Yet, some members warned it could have a detrimental impact on local trade and footfall.

Councillor Marion Wilson told the Highways Committee meeting: “Bringing in charges, especially on Sundays, is going to deter visitors and locals as well. I want to be able to go in, park up, have a look around Durham and go for food. Families are not going to be able to do that if there will be parking charges. For tourists coming in, one of the attractions is free parking on a Sunday.”

Meanwhile, councillor Danny Wood said he was concerned by the hundreds of people who objected to the proposals. Council papers show 302 respondents opposed the changes and 19 were in favour. 

Cllr Wood added: “I think the consultation responses back up that most people believe this will hurt local businesses in Durham, and I don’t see how we can get around that. I have an issue with how we’re badging this as being more about capacity concerns and reducing carbon emissions. Really, it’s a budget saving and we shouldn’t be pretending it’s anything else. 

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“We’ve almost seen no support for it from local members, no support from the public at all, and on the basis of that I’m not willing to support the recommendation.”

But David Freeman, a county councillor for Elvet and Gilesgate in Durham City, supported the proposals after saying residents struggle to park by their homes due to visitors taking up nearby spaces. There is also a hope that the increased charges will ensure visitors reconsider where they park or use the Park and Ride facilities, he added.

The changes will be enforced from April 1.