The future of free parking after 6pm in Liverpool city centre could be decided by another public consultation.
In November, Liverpool Council launched a survey into the future of on-street parking in the city centre, which could spell the end for late night shoppers hoping to leave their cars in town for free. The local authority is seeking to develop a strategy to modernise its provision and improve congestion and air quality through the city.
The engagement exercise sought public views on Liverpool’s controlled parking zone (CPZ) - a regulated area where on-street parking is restricted by law between the hours of 8am to 6pm. According to a new report on that consultation, people across Liverpool could yet have the final say in how the scheme finally works.
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Under new proposals put forward, charges at public pay and display and other parking bays would be enforced between 7am to 11pm. In addition, fees to park within the CPZ would increase by 10p per half hour. Currently, 30 minutes parking costs £1.20, this would go up to £1.30.
Up to an hour would increase to £2.50 from £2.40. Parking times for pay and display bays would also be limited to a maximum stay of two hours, with no return within an hour.
The local authority said the proposed extension of the charging period is aimed at creating more spaces for those holding residents and business permits. An update on the work of the council’s parking task and finish group said its questionnaire provided respondents with a range of options to agree or disagree with each of the proposals, along with the opportunity to provide additional comments.
Almost 1,500 people took part in the survey, with a report on its findings to go to the city council’s cabinet on March 24. The group’s update - which will be heard at the local authority’s neighbourhoods committee next week - said the cabinet report will seek approval forward for the scheme and “ to undertake a further statutory consultation on the options to be taken forward.”
The plans have been met with a mix of views from the Town Hall to the city’s business and leisure districts. Cllr Mirna Juarez, Liberal Democrat member for Allerton and Hunts Cross told a meeting of Liverpool Council’s strategic development and housing committee that she felt it would have a "a detrimental impact on our night time economy and shoppers who like to shop late. I don't think this is a good idea."
An increase by 10p per half hour would help to cover the cost of the changes required and contribute to the ongoing operation and enforcement, according to Liverpool Council and would be “significantly lower” than other core cities throughout the UK. Cabinet member Cllr Sarah Doyle told the same meeting that moving towards reducing cars in the city centre was a direction the council needed to head in, as well as increasing charges for those that do come in.
Bill Addy, chief executive of the Liverpool BID Company, said it was time the city had a conversation about car use and safe parking. The boss of the organisation supporting hundreds of businesses across Liverpool said they “should always have a say and make sure they are a part of the vital conversations shaping the city’s future.”
The plans were greeted by criticism from the public, with many saying if the decision went ahead it would "kill the high street" and led people to go to the Trafford Centre instead.
Vinny Oliveria said: "Don't go shopping in Liverpool as much now to expensive to park plus tunnel money costs at least £25 pound for a round trip to Liverpool from Ellesmere Port petrol, tunnel, car parking charges. Best city in the world but the council need to stop, this rip off."
Ivegot Metopov said: "This is a ridiculous decision and will simply drive shoppers away from Liverpool One and to the Trafford Centre."
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