City centre parking changes given the go-ahead

Big changes to car parking in the city centre were given the go-ahead in a council Cabinet meeting last night.

As reported in MK NEWS, the decision to axe 3,782 free parking spaces was agreed.

The free spaces will be turned into purple 'standard' bays, charging a rate of 30p per hour, in addition to an extra 981 'premium' spaces being introduced.

Among the other changes is an increase in long-stay parking charges to £8 per day, and abolishing free parking on weekends in some blocks.

The changes, costing over £800,000, will be enforced from January 31 2011.

The council is predicting the move will make almost £3 million in their second year, which can be put back into public transport, and encourage people to use alternative forms of transport.

But there are many who are not happy, including Barry Fleming.

Representing the 470 Marks and Spencers workers in thecentre:mk, he said: "Making people pay more is an outrage and against common sense.

"Please explain how extending standard-rate parking helps anything except the council coffers?

"Abolishing the free parking doesn't help employees, as they come early morning to take free spaces.

"Abolishing free weekend parking will put weekend shoppers off, and for people working full-time, the parking will take between 3 and 5 per cent of their wages."

The employee discount of 50 per cent will remain, equating to £1.20 per day to park.

Councillor John Bint said the charges are a form of tax for low-income earners.

He said: "This is about jobs, and you are pricing people out of the lowest paid jobs.

"You are making those low-income jobs unviable for employers and employees alike."

Vanessa McPake, Cabinet Member for transport, said: "We have spent endless time, money and meetings discussing parking charges, and I feel now the time has come to do something.

"We have not put up the standard rate, and have kept the concessionary parking charges for employees.

"We have been very good to residents - they will still be able to park there free of charge."

Residents of North and South Rows will need new permits to park for free.

250 electric car charging points will also be installed over three years, for use by residents and shoppers.