Dovercourt: Free parking for 80p car park (From Harwich and Manningtree Standard)

Dovercourt: Free parking for 80p car park

2:44pm Tuesday 25th May 2010

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FREE parking will be introduced at a Dovercourt car park later this year.

Residents have been calling for charges at Milton Road car park to be returned to 10p since March after a trial period for the lower charge ended.

Prices currently lie at 80p.

But the council has now said parking at the site will be free between 2pm and 6pm from September 30 for a trial period.

It is hoped the move will encourage trade in the town centre and has been limited to off peak periods to avoid hitting demand for all-day parking.

A report by Tendring Council states: “The experimental tariff in Dovercourt resulted in a significant increase in use of the car park.

“However, the scheme was not supported by regular and reliable surveys into motorist’s behaviour and the effect on local businesses, which is a lesson for future schemes if undertaken.

“General observations showed a decrease in use of on-street parking.”

However, the concession will only definitely last until May 31, when the trial period will end and the project will be reviewed. It is not known if the price at Milton Road car park will then return to 80p.

Different parking options were considered by Tendring Council before the decision was made.

A “wide ranging off peak car parking concession” which could have been implemented all day was being considered, but officers estimated it could lose the council £500,000 in revenue across the district.

Milton Road car park is one of seven across the district which will be included in the scheme, running to May 31.

Others in High Street, Clacton, Ipswich Road, Holland-on-Sea, and Jaywick Beach are also to benefit.

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