Latest news with #parkingcharges
BBC News
2 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Chorley Yarrow Vale Country Park parking charge plan fears voiced
Plans to introduce parking charges at a Lancashire beauty spot could increase congestion in the area and be "devastating" for a nearby garden centre, staff at the business have Council is considering its car parking options for Yarrow Valley Country Park, which lies only a five-minute walk away from Birkacre Garden the country park to bring in parking charges, Birkacre's managing director Steve Ainscough believes many visitors would use his company's free car park and the road outside, something which he said would create "a hazard".Chorley Council said no final decisions had been made and urged residents and businesses to respond to ongoing consultation. Mr Ainscough told BBC Radio Lancashire: "When it is busy we have overflow parking on the road. "This will add to that congestion on the road. Also it will also push our customers on the road or they will decide not to come at all."Put simply, he said: "Everyone is going to be cheesed off."It is going to be a hazard... and the potential impact on us could be devastating."Gayle Wootton, director of planning and property at Chorley Council, said the local authority understood that any proposed changes to parking rules can raise concerns, particularly when charges may be added: "The proposals currently under consultation aim to manage parking more effectively across the borough, support long-stay parking needs, and ensure spaces are available for those who need them the most. "No final decisions have been made, and we strongly encourage residents and businesses to take part in the consultation and share their views. "All feedback will be considered before changes are introduced." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Teesside hospital parking charges rise take effect
Parking charges at some hospitals are to rise from Monday, in what health chiefs say is a necessary increase will be between 30p and 60p for up to four hours, although the first 20 minutes, for pick-up and drop-offs, will remain move affects Middlesbrough's James Cook University Hospital, the University Hospital of North Tees in Stockton, the University Hospital of Hartlepool, Peterlee Community Hospital and Northallerton's Taylor, of University Hospitals Tees (UHT), has previously said it was understood the move would not be welcome, but the cost of maintaining the car parks could not be covered by its current operating budget. Anything left over from running costs would be diverted to patient care, he will still be free for the first 20 minutes, for blue badge holders, frequent outpatient attendees, and the parents of sick children admitted to hospital overnight. Mr Taylor told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "Charging for parking ensures only those who need to visit our hospitals use a parking space and ensures a swift turnover of spaces."We would like to reassure all our patients and visitors that the income is used to maintain our car parks, including the costs of repairs and maintenance, lighting, gritting and security."Any surplus money is diverted into patient care to support the delivery of front-line services." Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Businesses react to parking charge increase
Business owners have warned increased parking charges could impact how long shoppers stay in a town centre. After free parking was scrapped in 2023, Darlington Borough Council is increasing fees again on Monday, raising the charge for a one-hour stay from £1 to £1.20. Store owner Karen Holmes said: "Rather than not come in at all, I think people are very wary of how much time they spend here, so that might affect it again." The Labour-led authority said it was aware of the concerns around the increase, but it was needed due to financial pressures. Ms Holmes, who runs Refrill Vintage on Bondgate, said: "It's only 20p at the end of the day, but if you want to stay all day, it's a pound." "If they made a couple of hours free, that would be great to bring people in," she told the Local Democracy Reporting Service. A £5 cap will be enforced in short stay car parks. In the council's long stay car parks, charges will also increase to £1.20 per hour for up to three hours, £5 per day, or £20 for a weekly ticket. Victoria Slack from the Emporium, on Grange Road, also warned that business owners relied on parking bays for accessibility. Ms Slack said: "If we park for a few hours a day to load stock into the shop, that is £3 and £60 a month to park in front of your own shop." Despite parking charges being reinforced and rising in recent years, Joseph Baggaley at Earth Warriors on Skinnergate said his business had not suffered. "After the charges came in last time, I saw a big increase in trade, and I've only ever seen an improvement," he said. Mr Baggaley said an increased turnover of cars would be beneficial as more people would find somewhere to park. He added: "It is unfortunate that the prices are rising, but the council has to raise money. It's a hard situation." The new fares are estimated to generate an additional £500,000 for the council. Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. What are Darlington's new parking fares? Price hike for town centre car parks approved Darlington Borough Council
BBC News
4 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Darlington businesses react to parking charge increase
Business owners have warned increased parking charges could impact how long shoppers stay in a town free parking was scrapped in 2023, Darlington Borough Council is increasing fees again on Monday, raising the charge for a one-hour stay from £1 to £1.20. Store owner Karen Holmes said: "Rather than not come in at all, I think people are very wary of how much time they spend here, so that might affect it again."The Labour-led authority said it was aware of the concerns around the increase, but it was needed due to financial pressures. Ms Holmes, who runs Refrill Vintage on Bondgate, said: "It's only 20p at the end of the day, but if you want to stay all day, it's a pound.""If they made a couple of hours free, that would be great to bring people in," she told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.A £5 cap will be enforced in short stay car parks. In the council's long stay car parks, charges will also increase to £1.20 per hour for up to three hours, £5 per day, or £20 for a weekly ticket. Victoria Slack from the Emporium, on Grange Road, also warned that business owners relied on parking bays for Slack said: "If we park for a few hours a day to load stock into the shop, that is £3 and £60 a month to park in front of your own shop." Despite parking charges being reinforced and rising in recent years, Joseph Baggaley at Earth Warriors on Skinnergate said his business had not suffered."After the charges came in last time, I saw a big increase in trade, and I've only ever seen an improvement," he Baggaley said an increased turnover of cars would be beneficial as more people would find somewhere to added: "It is unfortunate that the prices are rising, but the council has to raise money. It's a hard situation."The new fares are estimated to generate an additional £500,000 for the council. Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Free Sunday car parking to end in Cheshire East
Sunday parking charges in parts of Cheshire will come into force this month, five months after full-time free parking ended in several East Council is extending the charging period by four hours on weekdays and Saturdays and also bringing in charges on Sundays from 26 follows the authority bringing in fees in towns and villages which had historically had free East Council said it had "little option" but to look at ways to increase its income as it faced financial challenges. Users of council-owned car parks across the borough will have to pay between 08:00 and 22:00 during the week and on parking charges will also come into force based on the weekday charges for each car parks in areas such as Alsager, Audlem, Handforth, Holmes Chapel, Middlewich, Poynton, Prestbury and Sandbach had previously had free parking until charges came into force in car park in each town and village has free parking after 15:00 and on-street parking bays remain free, the council took place in some areas ahead of the charges coming in, including outside council one area, Bollington, the town council agreed to pay Cheshire East to keep the car park free for users. Cheshire East said any surplus funds from parking charges would be used in other highways and transport services, such as road maintenance and towards evening and Sunday bus Goldsmith, chair of Cheshire East Council's highways and transport committee, said: "When benchmarked against neighbouring councils, it is clear that our current parking charges are significantly lower."Nor do they reflect inflation as this is also only the second time parking charges have been increased since Cheshire East was formed in 2009."Coupled with the council's financial challenges, we have little option but to look at how we maximise our income and ensure that the charges we collect are sufficient to help cover the rising costs of maintaining, managing, and enforcing our car parks." See more Cheshire stories from the BBC and follow BBC North West on X. For more local politics coverage, BBC Politics North West is on BBC One on Sunday at 10:00am and on BBC iPlayer.
