Peterborough parking price rise ‘won’t affect city high street’ says business chief

Peterborough City Council hope to raise more than £300,000 by increasing the cost of car parks and residential permits. The price hike will be introduced on March 30.

The changes will see all tariffs increase by 50p at Car Haven, Riverside, Wellington Street, Bishop’s Road, Trinity Street, Fletton Quays multi-storey and Railway Sidings.

The demolition of the council owned Northminster Car Park is taking place due to safety concerns.

In addition, the fees for resident and visitor permits will increase. The price of a six month permit will rise from £20 to £25 and a 12 month permit will rise from £30 to £40. Daily visitor permit books of 10 will rise from £12 to £20.

Money raised from the increased permits - which is estimated to be £107,532, has to be spent on parking services by law. The £202,854 per year raised by increasing car park charges will be put in the council’s overall budget, as the authority seeks to balance the books.

John Bridge, chief executive of Cambridgeshire Chamber of Commerce said: “Peterborough charges are competitive compared to other cities. The retail offering is the most important thing, and Peterborough is a leading city in terms of the High Street. I don’t think this will have an impact.

“Parking can be an emotive subject, but people want to enjoy the retail offering, the Cathedral, the other events in the city.”

However, cllr Shaz Nawaz, leader of the Labour group on Peterborough City Council said: “The problem is the High Street is diminishing.

“When I speak to people about why they are not coming into the city, one of the issues they talk about is the higher cost of parking.

“I would like to see the council bring in free parking on certain days and at certain times, to give people an incentive to come into the city, and to make it as easy as possible. Other places do this, so it can be done.”

Costs at Peterborough City Council car parks.

Fletton Quays multi storey

7am-5pm Monday-Sunday

One hour: £1.50

Two hours: £3

Three hours: £4

Ten hours: £10

5pm-7am Monday-Sunday

Fixed rate: £2

Riverside and Bishops Road

7am-5pm Monday-Sunday

One hour: £1.30

Two hours £2.60

Three hours: £3.60

Four hours: £5

Ten hours: £6

5pm-7am Monday-Sunday

Fixed rate: £2

Trinity Street

7am-5pm Monday-Sunday

One hour: £1.40

Two hours: £2.60

Three hours: £3.90

5pm-7am Monday-Sunday

Fixed rate: £2

Car Haven

7am-5pm Monday-Sunday

30 mins: £1

One hour: £1.50

Two hours: £3

Three hours: £4

5pm-7am Monday-Sunday

Fixed rate: £2

Railway Sidings

7am-5pm Monday-Sunday

One hour: £1.50

Two hours: £3

Three hours: £4

Ten hours: £10

5pm-7am Monday-Sunday

Fixed rate: £2

Wellington Street

Monday-Sunday

One hour: £1

Two hours; £2

Three hours: £3

24 hours: £4

All prices will be increased by 50p.

New tarrifs will be introduced at Fletton Quays and Railway Sidings on Saturday and Sunday (any time), costing £4.50.