Committee backs pay and display proposal (From Thisisdorset)

Committee backs pay and display proposal

5:53pm Thursday 3rd July 2008

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PAY and display parking at County Hall is coming a step closer after a Dorset County Council committee backed the proposal.

But several members of the roads and rights of way committee expressed their concerns about the scheme over its potential income.

Committee chairman Captain Malcolm Shakesby told members that their duty was to decide whether to back a recommendation for the parking scheme - and that they should take questions about the financial side of it elsewhere within the county council.

Members voted in favour of recommending the scheme to the council's cabinet though Coun Harry Burden opposed it and Coun David Budd abstained.

They had postponed making a decision at their May meeting after voicing concerns about the discrepancy between the income estimated by consultants Deloittes - who anticipated £80,000 a year by introducing the charges - and the £20,000 anticipated by the council's own officers.

But Coun Shakesby said they were to put that matter aside in making their decision to make a traffic regulation order that would bring in pay and display for motorists using parking spaces around County Hall in the evenings and weekend.

The recommendation incorporates a modification to allow permit holders living in Glyde Path Road to park overnight without charge.

The scheme would see charges introduced for overnight and weekend parking, though library users would be able to continue to park for half an hour in one area as at present.

The council's traffic management chief Tim Westwood said the scheme was part of an overarching strategy to manage parking in the town.

He said all the West Dorset District Council car parks in Dorchester charged 24 hours a day and the rates would be comparable with the one at Top o' Town.

He said: "Essentially there would be no free parking in Dorchester town centre. It's to squeeze the commuter parkers from the town centre to free it up for visitors. This approach is not unique to Dorchester."

Blue Badge disabled drivers would continue to be able to park without charge.

The scheme has drawn objections and the Colliton Club near County Hall raised a petition against the charges.

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