Free one-hour parking in Broxtowe council car parks to end next year

The Labour-led council’s cabinet has backed bringing in parking charge changes for town centre shoppers across Beeston, Eastwood, Kimberley and Stapleford.

Currently, the majority of the council’s 28 off-street car parks charge customers until 4pm, but offer an initial free first hour.

Charges then come into effect from one hour onwards, currently costing £1 for one extra hour of parking, or £1.50 for two more hours.

All-day parking at most other car parks costs £2, though some sites – including some in Beeston – charge up to £15 for a full day’s parking.

However, the council says it currently costs £294,000 to run its car parks but income generated totals £255,000, leaving a gap of £39,000.

The change is planned as some pay and display machines reach the end of their lifetime and when several sites need to be resurfaced and relined.

The cabinet meeting on Tuesday, October 3 debated a series of options aimed at increasing charges, bringing in extra money and removing the one-hour-free scheme.

‘Bridge the gap’

The approved option will see customers instead charged until 10pm, with the lowest fee for parking at £1 for two hours.

Three hours’ parking will cost £2, while some sites will charge £1, £2 or £15 all day depending on their location.

An additional offer of six hours’ parking for £3 was added to aid people using night-time venues such as bars in town centres.

Figures suggest the new charges will raise at least £493,000 per year in net income.

Cllr Greg Marshall (Lab), the council’s portfolio holder for resources and personnel policy, says this will help to protect budgets and support other services.

He added: “We’ve tried to maximise income in proposals to help bridge the gaps.

“But to do that with a minimal impact on people who use our car parks around the borough and, indeed, also any knock-on implications to traders and businesses across Broxtowe.

“[We’re trying to] bridge that gap and create turnover within our towns at a minimal cost to individuals which helps them balance and satisfy the needs of traders and businesses.”

‘Attack on motorists’

Cllr Milan Radulovic (Lab), the council’s leader, amended proposals to ensure electric vehicles did not receive free all-day parking.

He said not charging electric cars would be “discriminating against petrol cars” and said they should pay the same rate as other vehicles.

He also confirmed the fees do not affect three small Kimberley and one small Eastwood car parks which currently offer free all-day parking.

Free Saturday parking at Devonshire Avenue in Beeston, Oxford Street in Eastwood, Victoria Street in Kimberley and Halls Road in Stapleford will also continue.

But Cllr Philip Owen (Con), who represents Nuthall East and Strelley, said: “Motorists don’t want to pay and understandably so.

“This is an attack – yet again – on the motorist. I have grave concerns about this and would ask you to think again.”

The meeting heard the proposals will come into effect on January 1. Signage will be changed at each car park where charges are being amended.