The introduction of charging for some of the council-controlled car parks in South Gloucestershire will go live on Monday 19 May.
The measure has been introduced as way of helping the council balance it’s budget and be able to afford other essential services into the future. It does not affect all car parks in South Gloucestershire, but will cover 22 of those owned and managed by the council.
It will include an element of free parking in marked bays for visits of up to 30 minutes and free parking for up to four hours for disabled Blue Badge Holders.
Preparatory works are already underway in the affected car parks, and next week the council will install the cashless payment machines and main signage.
Not all car parks are part of the scheme, and not all stays will be charged for. Each car park where charging will apply will have clear signage and there are a range of easy, cashless ways for drivers to pay if they need to.
Drivers will be able to use the MiPermit app on their smart phones; ‘tap and go’ with their payment card or smartphone using the machines; and for those who don’t want to make a contactless payment with their card or phone, they can make a phone call and pay by card.
Key features of the scheme include that at least 10 per cent of spaces will be clearly marked in short-stay car parks to allow for free for stays of up to 30 minutes. Where a charge applies, the first hour will be just 70p. Longer stays will be £1.30 for up to two hours, £3 for up to three hours and £5 for stays up to four hours in short-stay car parks.
Parking in long-stay car parks and spaces will cost £3.00 for the first four hours; stays of between four and six hours will be charged at £4.00; and stays of more than six hours will be charged at £5.00.
Season tickets will be available and apply to individual car parks. Weekly tickets will be £20; monthly tickets will be £75.00; a six-monthly ticket will be £435; and annual tickets will be £840.00. Season tickets can be purchased via the MiPermit website at www.mipermit.com
Over the past few months, baseline data to establish current parking patterns in the streets surrounding the car parks where charging will be introduced has been collected. Further monitoring will be carried out after the scheme has been introduced so the council can work with residents to identify the best ways to mitigate any changes to parking patterns locally.
Full details of the scheme, including the car parks where charges will apply and a series of Frequently Asked Questions, are available on the council’s website at: www.southglos.gov.uk/car-parks
Residents can download the MiPermit app to their smartphones and create and account if they don’t already have one ahead of the go-live date.
South Gloucestershire Council Cabinet Member for Communities and Local Place, Councillor Sean Rhodes, said: “The scheme we are introducing is simple and relatively cheap compared to neighbouring authorities. It doesn’t apply to all car parks, but where it does apply, the money we bring in will help protect essential services into the future.
“I’ve no doubt there will be a period of adjustment for some drivers, but I expect that most car owners already have several parking apps on their smartphones and are used to paying for parking almost everywhere they go.
“The cashless system will also allow users to use their smartphone or payment card to make contactless payments. And for those who prefer or don’t have a smartphone, they will be able to pay by making a phone call.
“The way the system will work has been the subject of detailed conversations with a range of stakeholders, businesses groups and town and parish councils in the areas affected, and we thank them for their constructive engagement to develop a scheme that will work for our area.”
An audio clip of Cllr Rhodes introducing the scheme is available for broadcast use here: https://soundcloud.com/sgloscouncil/car-parking-charges-intro_cllr
A video showing how to use the MiPermit app can be found online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rU3192Kk2C0
