Member Article

Are car parks hurting the high street?

Car parks that overcharge drivers are damaging footfall on their nearby high streets, say two prominent bodies.

A study undertaken by the Association of Town & City Management (ATCM) and the British Parking Association (BPA) suggests that car parks in mid-range and smaller centres are overcharging for spaces.

The report used data on footfall, spend and centre quality to group locations and assess their relationship to the quantity of spaces and the cost of parking for the first two hours.

Locations with a weekly footfall of between 200,000 and 249,000 people charge an average of £2.57, roughly 18% more than popular locations that might attract 250,000 to 299,999 a week.

ATCM policy manager Ojay McDonald warned the findings did not conclusively demonstrate that parking tariffs were to blame for influencing decline, but did indicate a need for further investigation into the relationship.

He said: “There is no simple formula that can be given on determining the right kind of tariff to be introduced nationally because every location is exposed to an individual set of dynamics and factors.

“And there is a significant amount of anecdotal evidence, opinion and speculation over the relationship between car parking provision and town centre prosperity.

“Confusion has been problematic for policy-makers at numerous levels. The problem is most acute for local authorities who have to balance the sometimes conflicting needs of multiple stakeholders and develop accessibility and transport strategies, choosing between sometimes conflicting objectives.

“The costs of maintaining and servicing a car park and the opportunity cost of what other uses that space could have been dedicated to, pitched against the needs of the car user, provide a difficult dilemma for local government, especially in light of a continuing devolution of fiscal responsibility.”

Separate research from the Institute of Advanced Motorists shows local authorities made record profits in 2011/12 from motorists.

In the north Newcastle topped the list, gaining £6.2m in charges levied against motorists, while Birmingham City Council netted £3.8m.

Robert Downes of the Forum of Private Business

“With councils making this kind of profit at the expense of motorists it’s no wonder shoppers are thinking twice about visiting their local high street.

“The evidence is now there for all to see that many councils are using motorists as cash cows without a thought for the consequences their actions have on the wider business communities.

“With an average increase of 15% in take from fines and car parking charges, it’s plain councils are ramping up efforts and prices to raise revenue. Crude and short-sighted money spinners like this just means more and more shoppers abandoning their local high street and looking elsewhere for their shopping needs.”

Marcus Jones MP, chairman of the Town Centres Parliamentary Group, said: “Parking has become a very emotive topic for many people. The high street is fragile and accessibility has become a vital issue. Clarity and guidance for councils, private car park owners, consumers and traders is critical if we are to increase the attraction of town centres.

“Since the All-Party Group’s formation in 2010, car parking has been high on our agenda. We came to an agreement with the ATCM that policy-makers needed support in this area. I see this report as an important step in providing evidence that will ultimately support town centre regeneration.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .