Agenda item

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Environment which advised of the key results and recommendations of Town Centre Parking Studies and sought approval to a number of actions which would enable a new parking strategy to be developed that would seek to sustain the viability of the Borough’s Town Centres.

 

The Board was advised that   Halton was one of only two boroughs in Merseyside (the other being Knowsley) where car parking was free. Therefore, the implications of imposing parking charges, parking enforcement and amending parking supply would need to be carefully considered in relation to their potential impact on the attractiveness (and hence economic viability) of the town centres, and on nearby residents. In determining a car parking policy, the Council faced an unusual situation, due to a large number of the car parks within the Borough being privately owned. It was therefore essential, in developing new ‘on’ and ‘off’-street car parking strategies, for the Council to work closely with the owners of these car parks to ensure that a consistent, practical and enforceable approach was adopted.

 

The Board was further advised that to progress this work, parking studies had been commissioned at three key locations within the Borough (Runcorn and Widnes Town Centres and Halton Lea). These studies provided the base data and analysis for consideration by the proposed Parking Partnership and thereby a foundation upon which decisions could be taken by the Council on future parking management policy and formation of a revised strategy. Whilst the existing strategy made some mention of parking management, charging and residents only parking, it was important that up to date parking study data continued to be collected to allow updating of the strategy following the proposed formation of the Parking Partnership, particularly in the light of recent and proposed developments. A parking strategy which responded to the current needs of visitors to the town centres would help ensure that the town centres’ attractiveness as destinations was maintained, particularly in the light of new development and the current economic climate.

 

In addition, it was reported that in commissioning the parking studies, comprehensive briefs had been provided to the consultants, which detailed the broad aims & objectives.

 

The consultants had identified the parking patterns and problems for each of the centres. Whilst various recommendations were made, any decisions taken would need to take into account a range of factors and potential impacts. These included:

 

·        town centre (economic) viability;

·        the current economic downturn;

·        impacts on residential parking;

·        proposed tolling of the Mersey Gateway and Silver Jubilee Bridge;

·        the costs and potential income from CPE;

·        promotion of sustainable transport; and

·        public reaction to the imposition of charging and/or parking restrictions.

 

There were considerable differences between the parking patterns and ownership in the three town centres. In Runcorn Old Town, with the exception of Somerfield & Poundstretcher, car parks were generally in the ownership of the Council. In the other Town Centres most were privately owned. Therefore, whilst their management requirements would vary, it was important that an agreed approach was developed, which was acceptable to the Council and all car park operators across the three Town Centres.  The study identified the potential for a number of controversial decisions to be made to enable the three Town Centres to function and develop; unimpaired by inadequate parking provision resulting from current and future land uses.  These included the following:-

 

·              the introduction of limited period parking;

·              the introduction of off street parking charges;

·              the introduction of on street parking charges;

·              the introduction of Residents’ Only Parking Schemes (ROPS);

·              the introduction of Civil Parking Enforcement (CPE) in Halton;

·              the provision of a Multi Storey Car Park in Runcorn; and

·              the provision of Long Stay Parking in Widnes.

 

The Board also received a presentation outlining the Halton Parking Studies Consultants findings and recommendations – Headlines.

 

The following points arose from the presentation and discussion:-

 

·        It was reported that Halton Lea multi storey car park had restricted spaces close to the shops that were short stay only and that this could be considered in Runcorn Town Centre using a private operator to cover the costs;

 

·        In respect of the railway station, it was suggested that the Council could put in competitive parking via a private contractor as the cost of the Network Rail/Virgin car park was displacing cars into residential areas;

 

In reply it was reported that Network Rail and Virgin had worked with the Authority to reduce the car parking charges to £6 before 10 am and £3 later as they were currently charging £8 in other places.

 

·        The importance of free parking being retained in Halton was noted;

 

·        It was noted that previous studies had shown a footfall in the town centre, particularly in Runcorn Town Centre and that most trade visits to the town were up to two hours.  It was suggested that short term parking charges would have a devastating effect on retail footfall.  However, consideration could be given to charging for long term parking which would not have such an impact on footfall;

 

·        It was noted that car parking in Halton Lea had been successful as it was free for three hours; and

 

·        It was noted that when looking at partnerships consideration would be given to consistency in respect of operators and parking charges.

 

RESOLVED: That

 

(1)         the Board note the findings of the studies;

 

(2)         the Board support the need to pursue and establish a formal Parking Partnership by mid 2010 between the Council and the private operators of car parks within the Borough, the purpose of which would be to consider options and propose measures that are required to manage parking demand both ‘Off’ and ‘On’ Street and also to agree the basis of a new draft Parking Strategy for future consideration by the Executive Board;

 

(3)         the Board support the commissioning of a study, which is currently underway, that will explore the feasibility of the Council making an application for the introduction of its own Civil (Parking) Enforcement Powers and request that the results  be brought back to a future meeting of this Board;

 

(4)         The Board note the consultant’s conclusion that there is a potential need for a multi-storey car park in Runcorn, but endorse the recommendation that investigations into this proposal be deferred until the current economic climate improves;

 

(5)         The current approach of seeking Section 106 agreements where appropriate to support small residential developments with no private off street parking around the Victoria Square area and seeking a financial contribution towards parking or transport infrastructure, be continued;

 

(6)         A further report on the establishment of a strategy for securing Section 106 contributions from development elsewhere within the Borough be prepared and submitted to a future meeting of the Board for consideration; and

 

(7)         The Board support the proposal for officers to investigate the feasibility of the Council keeping the temporary car park at Runcorn station open for use by rail users, to help ease parking problems on surrounding streets, and the potential for a charge to be imposed for its use with management by the private sector.