Town centre parking charges could double

The proposals are part of a series of Rotherham Borough Council budget saving ideas which will be discussed at a meeting on Friday (15).

If approved, on-street and off-street parking in council-owned car parks would increase  to help reduce an “underlying budget pressure” of £137,000 in the council’s parking services department.

The plans would see on-street parking for 30 minutes rise from 50p to £1, an hour would cost £1.50 and two hours would increase from £2.50 to £3.

In council owned car parks, two-hours’ parking would cost £1.50 but the cost of long-term parking would be reduced.

Four hours parking would reduce from £2.80 to £2 and all-day parking would be almost halved from £6.50 to £3.50.

A report to an overview and scrutiny meeting on Friday, January 15 said town centre businesses supported the rise in charges on the basis that it would fund free parking on Saturdays.

But it said allowing this would result in a £62,000 shortfall in parking services.

An impact statement in the report said: “An increase in parking charges could potentially reduce the number of visitors to the town centre which could then impact on economic regeneration ambitions. 

“A reduction in medium and long stay tariffs may mitigate this.

“Although parking charges have not increased in the last six years, the proposals are based upon the perceived maximum price increases when considering the tariffs being offered by local private competitors and neighbouring local authorities.”

The report said a ten per cent reduction in the number of vehicles visiting the town could centre could lead to around 200,000 potential customers not visiting Rotherham.