Rotherham parking charges up . . . and down

TOWN centre parking charges are set to change again—and it’s a mixed bag for motorists.

There is good news for regular multi-storey users as permit prices have been frozen and the cost of on-street parking in the middle of town has been slightly cut.

But parking in most off-street car parks will be slightly more expensive, with increases of 5p and 10p an hour across the town.

Despite insisting they were making parking cheaper for some motorists,

Rotherham Borough Council said that the changes would help them battle an expected budget shortfall by bringing in an extra £60,000 a year.

In an effort to entice in more shoppers, the council has already introduced the FreeAfter 3 parking scheme and they are bidding to encourage visitors to stay longer by making it cheaper to park for two hours.

And Martin Beard, the council’s parking services manager, said in a report to councillors that the proposed charges, which still have to be formally backed by Cabinet, would mean that Rotherham’s charges were still “broadly cheaper” than those in other areas of South Yorkshire.

What do you think of the plans to alter car parking charges? Give us your views by registering using the link at the top of the page and leave your comment below.

Mr Beard’s report continued: “The proposed prices will, based upon projected income, increase the pay and display revenue by approximately £60,000.

“This will, to some extent, offset the anticipated budget shortfall caused by the economic downturn and increasing overheads such as business rates and maintenance of car park infrastructure and equipment.”

On-street parking in the inner town centre will cost 50p for 30 minutes (previously 40p for 20 minutes), £1 for an hour (previously £1.20) and £2.50 for two hours (previously £2.60).

Further out of the centre, the price of parking on the street has gone up from 40p to 50p for an hour and from 80p to £1 for two hours.

The biggest cut will affect the Wellgate North where an hour’s parking will cost £1 rather than £1.30.