titlepage/contents pg 1-16 - British Parking Association

Formulating Parking Interventions 91the number of vehicles usingthe roads to and from thecentre. This may notnecessarily result in anincrease in total vehiclekilometres driven (this willdepend on how far peopletravel from) but it willcertainly increase traffic inand near the centre; and● Reducing long stayopportunities in the centremay create difficulties forresidents without their ownparking space. This mayundermine any policy toincrease town centre living.Residents may thereforeneed opportunities topurchase permits, either foron-street bays or for space inoff-street car parks.Whatever the balance ofadvantage in any particularsituation, it is clear that settingcharges and regulations to shiftfrom long to short stay useshould not be undertakenwithout careful analysis andconsultation.The setting of low charges inorder to gain a competitiveadvantage over neighbouringauthorities is not normallysupported, although it is widelypractised. Such actions mayresult in over-use of car parks(causing congestion andsearching traffic at peak times),and also lead to unnecessarytraffic generation by peopletravelling from longer distances.If there is ample space toaccommodate demand at a lowprice, then it is likely that the truecosts of provision will not be met,contrary to good auditingpractice. The Regional TransportStrategies should address thisissue with local authoritiesfollowing their guidance.Provision of free parkingIn some smaller towns andvillages public car parks areprovided without charge. Insome cases this may simplyreflect demand that is too low oroccasional to warrant a chargeand its associated costs. In othercases it may be a deliberatepolicy not to deter car-bornevisitors.Demand at tourist and ruraldestinations may be at a levelwhere free parking may nolonger be appropriate.Acceptance of the introduction ofcharges may be higher ifrevenues are used for publictransport or environmentalimprovements, especially where,by removing or relocatingobtrusive parking and accessroads, the attractions areimproved. Such schemes maynot always be possible for thelocal authority, and may,therefore, depend on privateinitiative, but this can bepromoted through joint working.The Council may consider thatthe benefits to a local economy,and the safety advantages ofproviding for parking off thehighway, justify the publicexpenditure involved in providingfree parking. In some cases itmay also be disproportionatelycostly to provide equipment andstaffing for collecting payment,when the revenue will be small.Free car parking signs.