Free parking to end as council raises prices

Car parking price hikes are planned for drivers across Plymouth to "meet significant budget challenges".

Plymouth City Council also wants to introduce charges at some coastal car parks that are currently free and bring in fees for Blue Badge holders to park on Plymouth Hoe.

The cost of permits could also rise, with 50% more to be charged for extra permits "to help discourage multiple car ownership" and the city could move to cashless payment everywhere.

The council said it wanted to bring charges in line with other comparable cities across the country to "maintain the income needed to continue delivering key parking services".

On-street parking charges would increase from £2.40 to £2.80 an hour under the proposals, with off-street charges going from £2.85 on average for two hours to £3.50.

The council is looking at introducing a £2 all day charge at coastal car parks of Jennycliff, Mount Batten and Strand Street which are currently free. The first hour of parking would continue to be free.

There are plans to introduce charges in the dedicated Blue Badge parking area on the Hoe promenade after receiving report of vehicles parking there "for extended periods consistent with commuter use".

The local authority said increases in car ownership had "created increasing pressures within residential permit areas".

The council had planned to introduce an increase of 50% for each additional permit to "discourage multiple car ownership" but that plan was dropped at the meeting of the city council executive on Monday.

Off-street car parks have been cashless since 2020 and it is planned to make all on-street payments cashless once new payment systems have been introduced.

A council report said overall the plans would raise and extra £1.44m a year.

John Stephens, the city council's cabinet member for transport, said improvements had been made to support drivers including extending electric vehicle charging points and enhancing security.

He said: "However, like most other local authorities, we are facing significant financial challenges due to rising costs and demand and that means having to keep all our charges under review.

"We know new or increased parking charges will never be welcomed but unfortunately they are often essential if we are to sustain the high-quality service our customers deserve."

The proposals were discussed and approved at a meeting of Plymouth City Council's cabinet on Monday.

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