Parking proposals could benefit drivers (From Cotswold Journal)

Parking proposals could benefit drivers

5:00pm Thursday 10th January 2013 in News By Freya Leng

COTSWOLD District Council’s Cabinet is proposing reductions to car parking tariffs at their upcoming meeting.

Cabinet members will consider a number of proposals which would reduce the cost of parking for many drivers, at their meeting next Thursday.

Proposals including a reduction in charges for drivers in Moreton to bring them in line with Tetbury.

The one hour charge would reduce from £1.30 to 70p and the two hour fee would be £1.50 instead of the current £2.30 at the Old Market Way car park, in Moreton.

Moreton ward councillor Rod Hooper said: “Obviously Councillor Dutton and myself would support any reduction.

“It would be nice to have the first hour free to get people coming into our market town to shop but if the Cabinet are making reductions that’s better than putting them up.

“It’s a way forward.”

Proposals for an extension of a 50p short stay charge at all CDC car parks including the Rissington Road car park, in Bourton, and the Maugersbury Road car park, in Stow, will also be considered.

There are also plans for a new £288 annual five-hours per day parking permit to meet the specific needs of part-time workers.

Councillor Lynden Stowe, CDC Leader, said: “We realise that many families across the district are finding it hard to make ends meet and we have already made a commitment not to increase parking charges in the district over the next three years.

“These proposals signal that we are also recommending some cheaper tariffs and an impressive range of changes to benefit local motorists, traders and the workforce by encouraging greater use of off-street car parks.”