Newport council defends free parking axe

9:40am Wednesday 28th November 2012 in News

DEFENDING CHARGES: Cllr Ken Critchley DEFENDING CHARGES: Cllr Ken Critchley

NEWPORT council has defended its position to cut free parking at its car parks after Christmas.

The Argus reported on Monday how the council has decided to axe a two-year-old scheme which allowed shoppers to park in council-owned multi-storey car parks for free for two hours.

Cllr Ken Critchley, cabinet member for infrastructure, told the Argus yesterday that free parking had led to an increase in footfall in Newport’s city centre and said traders asked if they could provide a longer period so people would stay for longer.

But he said that providing this free parking costs almost £1 million a year which he said is “no longer sustainable” at a time when central budgets are facing significant cuts, with a funding gap of around £8 million expected next year.

He said that to continue to offer free parking would adversely impact on other services such as street cleaning, waste collection and road repairs.

Cllr Critchley said the council had tried to offer the best option in difficult financial circumstances and came up with the compromise of a £1 charge for three hours.

He said it hoped this will still encourage people to visit the city centre and stay for longer.

He said this fee, which comes into effect on February 1, was also cheaper than the current cost of staying for three hours and would help pay for the car parks’ maintenance and other services in the city centre.

The council realised it was important to support the city’s retailers and so had offered the five hours’ free parking leading up to Christmas and during the January sales period, which will cost the council around £79,000.

He said somewhere like Cwmbran Shopping was able to balance rental income from traders with free parking but that Newport council did not receive rental income from retailers in Newport and that business rates were set nationally.

He said: “Wedid not feel it was appropriate at this time to ask traders to contribute financially to sustain free parking” – something he said the business improvement district was asked to do in Swansea.

Cllr Critchely said the £1 fee for three hours in Newport will also be lower than other local councils, pointing to Monmouthshire, which charges £1.30, and Rhondda Cynon Taff, where there is a £2.30 fee.

Comments(35)

Mervyn James says...
10:43am Wed 28 Nov 12

Same people that defend newport as the UK's number one charity.....

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NakedDancer says...
10:45am Wed 28 Nov 12

To be fair - thats a good explanation of the facts and £1 charge wouldn't put anyone off. However, the headline 'free parking' at Cwmbran and Cribbs Causeway is perceived by shoppers as a selling point.

£1M per annum is around 2,700 vehicles per day paying the £1 charge.It would be interesting to see the stats ie increased numbers using the car parks since the charge was removed and decreased numbers using the car parks when the charge is reapplied.

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Mervyn James says...
11:00am Wed 28 Nov 12

As ever the issue is not really parking, but a reason TO park in Newport.

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pds says...
11:54am Wed 28 Nov 12

Mervyn James wrote:
As ever the issue is not really parking, but a reason TO park in Newport.
"He said that Newport council did not receive rental income from retailers in Newport"

And the council-owned market? It's good that he admits that council mis-management has seen rental income disappear from this asset.

Has it come to the point that the council does not do anything unless there is direct profit in it? I always thought that local authorities existed to do the things that individuals cannot, and for the general good of the people. Like, for instance, providing parking so that a town centre has a chance of competing against multi-national supermakets.

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portman says...
12:26pm Wed 28 Nov 12

Clown!Cwmbran has free parking all day and everyday Newport has two hours Free Parking the rest of the time is chargeable ! if Newport didnt have a High st that was totally shut and a Market area in Ruins and the rest of the Retail center either shut or shutting he'd have a good point,cant he understand you can't charge for Emptyness!...Nothing
ness! listen to your voters Mate! Newport Unlimited your silence deafening!

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PaulHalliday says...
2:19pm Wed 28 Nov 12

The fact remains that Newport City Centre needs help from all directions. Removing the free parking, somthing the council admits has increased footfall in the Centre will only help to put the final nail in the coffin.

Join our campaign by searching for

Keep Newport's Free Parking

on Facebook! Posters and petition comming soon.
Helps us stop Labours destruction of Newport

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Woodgnome says...
4:38pm Wed 28 Nov 12

Mervyn James wrote:
As ever the issue is not really parking, but a reason TO park in Newport.
This is it in a nutshell Mervyn.

If you live outside walking distance of the the inner city area, travelling by car with Cwmbran (free) and out of town centres nearby e.g. Spytty (free) what makes Councillor Critchley believe charging £1 is attractive?.

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Dave on his Soapbox says...
5:24pm Wed 28 Nov 12

…when the council say it’s costing them ££££’s, they mean they’re loosing a revenue stream into the council coffers above that already contributed through council tax to both residents and businesses….which is needed to make up the shortfall….cutback
s…. fron WAG payouts from central taxation….and increased costs.
This is so they can continue to fund the programmes of spending that they feel are right and proper for the city to evolve….including the shopping mall which they perceive to be the saving of the city centre.
Rather than excepting the reality that Newport will never be able to compete with Cardiff St Davids 2 or Bristols Cribbs Causeway….as a major player….and with the developments a Spytty and the already popular Cwmbran Shopping Centre…..the mountain is to high to climb.
With on-line shopping for both food and other goods increasing year on year….is building a white elephant…when there are plent of empty buildings…..the long term answer?
If Newport CC need to plug the hole in their coffers……save some real money and get ride of Newport Unlimited….and start listening to the residents and businesses you’re supposed to be listening to and representing.
The worst thing that happened to Newport was being granted city status….as all its given us is a council with grandiose ideas of what a city should have……city centre campus…..black cabs…open top tourist bus….footbridge…
…and shopping mall…

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amandaajd1 says...
6:08pm Wed 28 Nov 12

I agree with the worse thing that happened to Newport was being grated city status....

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amandaajd1 says...
6:08pm Wed 28 Nov 12

I agree with the worse thing that happened to Newport was being grated city status....

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33daverave says...
7:33pm Wed 28 Nov 12

Why not get rid of some of the useless councillors,we don`t need that many in a town,oops city,our size.
Most of them just talk guff.

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GwentVoice says...
10:46pm Wed 28 Nov 12

Halve the councillors, give all current and new city centre tenants half price rates for five years and tie them into a five year no opt out tenancy, that way they get cheap shops, council gets rates from all the empty shops and we may get a town back. PS: Open commercial street to cars and buses again because that was the start of the decline.

Just look at old photos when it was all open the streets were bustling. Then look as the streets were pedestrianised, it died.

It's Time Newport Council to listen to people on here! WE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO PAY COUNCIL TAX for a good service and to look after our town not to paint stupidly short bus lanes that never have any buses in them or are too short to make at difference to a town with no shopping. Pull down the eye sore car parks and give the traders a break for gods sake. GIVE US OUR TOWN BACK - IT'S NOT YOURS!! N

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Strider says...
11:09pm Wed 28 Nov 12

The £1 parking is actually reasonable unless they keep the 10p for 2 hours tariff in Stow Hill..

Problem is all the people who would have used Newport will go elsewhere and stick to that routine!! When Marks go the older people who come in espically to use Marks will go to Cwmbran and the town will further decline..

For Christmas the town centre is very quiet unless you count the Del Boys selling perfumes, and Newports friendly Chav Scum who wander the streets all day; pretending they have a job to walk as there muscles are so big

Mothercare is now a Charity shop and three shops by the Market have closed for some reason the Argus has not covered these closures and openings

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PaulHalliday says...
11:49pm Wed 28 Nov 12

"Cllr Ken Critchley, cabinet member for infrastructure, told the Argus yesterday that free parking had led to an increase in footfall in Newport’s city centre and said traders asked if they could provide a longer period so people would stay for longer."

They acknowledge the difference that the free parking has made to the city!!!

Help us stop this disaster

http://www.facebook.
com/KeepNewportsFree
Parking

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GwentVoice says...
6:44pm Thu 29 Nov 12

MAYBE the Civic Centre Car Park should be Pay and Display!!!!! Not Free Parking.

People of Newport Lets have a vote on this. No more councillor free parking at the civic centre.

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merlin the silure says...
7:08am Sat 1 Dec 12

hmmm-"cabinet member for infrastructutre"=owi
ng to the shocking state of the city centre I would suggest that this clown is sacked as he's patently not doing his job.

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Dai_Newport says...
5:56pm Sat 1 Dec 12

merlin the silure wrote:
hmmm-"cabinet member for infrastructutre"=owi

ng to the shocking state of the city centre I would suggest that this clown is sacked as he's patently not doing his job.
If they were forced to pay they would simply claim the cost back on expenses.

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Dai_Newport says...
5:58pm Sat 1 Dec 12

GwentVoice wrote:
MAYBE the Civic Centre Car Park should be Pay and Display!!!!! Not Free Parking.

People of Newport Lets have a vote on this. No more councillor free parking at the civic centre.
Oops! Clicked on the wrong quote earlier.

They would just reclaim any parking costs on expenses.

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Bobevans says...
8:49am Sun 2 Dec 12

With budgets tight the cost has to be considered. I think the shops could do more to help the situation by working with the council to come up with a scheme where the parking is free if they spend a certain amount of money in town say if they spend £50 in Newport they get the 3 hours parking for Free

The problemwith fre parking is it is costly and willalso be used by people not shopping in Newport

The shops perhaps could also come up with a scheme where for say every £10 you spend in Newport you get a voucher worth £0.10 to spend in the shops in Newport this would help to attract people back to Newport

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merlin the silure says...
3:58pm Sun 2 Dec 12

Bobevans wrote:
With budgets tight the cost has to be considered. I think the shops could do more to help the situation by working with the council to come up with a scheme where the parking is free if they spend a certain amount of money in town say if they spend £50 in Newport they get the 3 hours parking for Free

The problemwith fre parking is it is costly and willalso be used by people not shopping in Newport

The shops perhaps could also come up with a scheme where for say every £10 you spend in Newport you get a voucher worth £0.10 to spend in the shops in Newport this would help to attract people back to Newport
this post is a joke-saving 10p if I spend £10 is really going to persuade me to shop in Newport.

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Howie' says...
1:31am Mon 3 Dec 12

merlin the silure wrote:
Bobevans wrote:
With budgets tight the cost has to be considered. I think the shops could do more to help the situation by working with the council to come up with a scheme where the parking is free if they spend a certain amount of money in town say if they spend £50 in Newport they get the 3 hours parking for Free

The problemwith fre parking is it is costly and willalso be used by people not shopping in Newport

The shops perhaps could also come up with a scheme where for say every £10 you spend in Newport you get a voucher worth £0.10 to spend in the shops in Newport this would help to attract people back to Newport
this post is a joke-saving 10p if I spend £10 is really going to persuade me to shop in Newport.
Yes brilliant idea it ain't Merlin but that's BS Bob for you. Spend £100 get free parking for three hours, spend £200 and get a free copy of the 'Big Issue' from the guy by the doors in Cambrian Road.

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merlin the silure says...
7:26am Mon 3 Dec 12

Hi- Howie hows me darlin Misty?

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Howie' says...
9:46am Mon 3 Dec 12

merlin the silure wrote:
Hi- Howie hows me darlin Misty?
Hi- Howie hows me darlin Misty?

Lol

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merlin the silure says...
5:59pm Mon 3 Dec 12

Howie-thought I'd re-incarnate myself to confuse BNB !!

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Howie' says...
6:33pm Mon 3 Dec 12

merlin the silure wrote:
Howie-thought I'd re-incarnate myself to confuse BNB !!
I think he confuses his self most of the time BB, no sign of Misty but now she knows your back I expect she will be breathless with expectation as we speak, lol.

Seen the rugby WC draw BB, oh happy days, pool of death my ar*e.

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merlin the silure says...
6:46pm Mon 3 Dec 12

pool of death be buggered-the sais are beatable despite them thinking they can beat anyone after the AB's hade a suspicious dose of the norovirus-Australia are there for the taking,didnt create anything on Sat apart from the F***ing winning try-off to Cwmcarn to try to locate my betrothed !!!!

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merlin the silure says...
6:49pm Mon 3 Dec 12

You and Merv still taking BNB to task then I see !!!!!!

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chris2727 says...
8:24pm Mon 3 Dec 12

does anyone know if parking will remain free at kingsway for 2 hours?? if not just boycott the town centre sacking need to take place down that council!!

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Cymru Am Beth says...
9:38am Tue 4 Dec 12

Bobevans wrote:
With budgets tight the cost has to be considered. I think the shops could do more to help the situation by working with the council to come up with a scheme where the parking is free if they spend a certain amount of money in town say if they spend £50 in Newport they get the 3 hours parking for Free The problemwith fre parking is it is costly and willalso be used by people not shopping in Newport The shops perhaps could also come up with a scheme where for say every £10 you spend in Newport you get a voucher worth £0.10 to spend in the shops in Newport this would help to attract people back to Newport
Brilliant.
I like this idea.

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newport city of dreams says...
12:12pm Tue 4 Dec 12

i have not been to newport for over a year, last time was about now and met some mates to have a xmas beer, i like most people have no need to go there, unless you want to but second hand clothes there is nothing there. the quicker the save the city shopping lot wise up and realise no one want to go to newport for shopping or any other reason. shut all the shops and turn them into social housing . newport shopping is over ,

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Howie' says...
12:59pm Tue 4 Dec 12

I parked in Cambrian Road yesterday, first time I have been in Newport for several months, I was not there yesterday by choice or to do any shopping. What surprised me, 3 weeks before Xmas and with free parking, was that the car park was not particularly full and I parked on the first floor where there were plenty of spaces in the same area that I parked the last time I visited when we had to pay to use the car park. I was surprised that I could even get in there let alone have a large choice of parking spaces on the first floor. I think before everyone starts shouting about the Council withdrawing free parking we should know the figures and I am surprised that the Argus has jumped on this particular bandwagon (considering the deafening silence from the Argus over the deterioration of the City/ Town centre over many years) without publishing the data and giving us the information e.g the difference in footfall before and after the introduction of free parking, increase or decrease in actual spending compared to the same months last year, before expecting the Council Tax payers to see over £800k of their money used on a project that may or may not be of any use. Someone made the point on another thread that if the Council loses £800K from parking that will result in cuts elsewhere, whilst I want to see a thriving town centre I am not sure this plan offers the best solution and neither does the head of Newport Chambers of Commerce according to his comments in the Argus that his organisation did not ask the Council to extend free parking. Did anyone ask why? because I think he has seen the figures and does not think it offers value for money.

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Terryrocco says...
2:38pm Tue 4 Dec 12

From January I hear BHS is leaving town. The thieves have no where to pinch from anymore.
Councillors should be ashamed of themselves. They must b on a bonus to kill the town off. Lower shop rates to attract businesses and free parking

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Terryrocco says...
2:39pm Tue 4 Dec 12

Bhs as well as Marks and Sparks may I add

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pds says...
3:11pm Tue 4 Dec 12

Just to correct a few misconceptions here:
800K cost - this was the estimated loss of revenue based on numbers parking in Newport over two years ago. Ask any retailer and they will tell you footfall has fallen off a cliff since then and so car parking income now will be a fraction of 800K.

Lower shop rates - Rates are set by the Welsh Assembly. NCC have no say in the matter.

Howie - On this occasion I think you are wrong to criticise the Argus, they have been consistently behind traders for some time, and have in the past covered changes in footfall, falling trade etc.

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newport city of dreams says...
3:19pm Tue 4 Dec 12

good news is debernams are coming to newport, i have been hearing this for years. if they do come they must have got the wrong newport ,if they do why would they come to tumble weed central, spyttty maybe , seems out of town is what people want.and yes free parking.

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