Balancing a reduction in the number of vehicles using Exeter city centre with the need to generate parking revenue is proving ‘tricky’ for the city council.
The council is to launch a lengthy public consultation into proposals to increase charges, and to start charging drivers for some car parks which have been free up to now.
But they also heard calls for the parking fees’ hike to be part of a bigger overall ‘jigsaw’, reducing congestion on busy city centre streets and cutting emissions.
“It’s a difficult and challenging balance between our net-zero targets and the need for income from car parking,” said Cllr Matthew Vizard (Lab, Newton and St Leonards). “It’s a tricky line to walk.”
Members of the councils executive committee heard that the changes are needed to keep up with the cost of providing services and keeping council tax down.
Around £100,000 of the money raised would be spent on tackling anti-social behaviour issues in car parks such as the Cathedral and Quay.
If the changes go ahead, parking for two hours in the city centre will go up from £4.50 to £4.90, with an all-day ticket rising from £18 to £18.40.
Charges will also be brought in at leisure sites including Exeter Arena, the Riverside Leisure Centre and Wonford Sports Centre, to make sure they are used by their intended customers and not by people who shop and work elsewhere.
Drivers have been using Riverside to dodge paying at Exe Bridges, while Wonford is used by people working nearby.
Cllr Diana Moore (Green, St Davids) said the council had to get to grips with the thousands of daily commuters driving into Exeter, and added: “I don’t see what difference will be made as a result of these changes.”
Cllr Michael Mitchell (Lib Dem, Duryard and St James) went on: “My concern is that we are looking at this in isolation and not taking a global view.”
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