Council considers new car parking strategy

The strategy, which covers the period 2025-2035, supports the council’s aims to ensure car parking is safe and a convenient experience for residents and visitors.

The recent changes to the economic climate and the projected growth within the Harborough district are reflected in the strategy. The development of current and future parking provision and service management requirements are also a key focus of the strategy.

Key points of the new car parking strategy are:  

•    Pay and display car parks will be operated at nil cost through the principle of the user pays, and car park income will be used to cover costs of operation, maintenance and enforcement. They will be operated in an environmentally friendly manner with easy to use payment terminals that have fast transaction technology. 

•    There are no current plans to increase car parking charges but views will be sought for moving to a single charging structure for all the pay and display car parks in Market Harborough rather than having long and short stay car parks. 

•    The council will provide at least one pay by cash machine in each car park but will offer pay by phone and cashless systems in order to reduce costs of cash collection which will allow charges to be kept lower due to lower operating costs. 

•    Free car parks serving parks, leisure centres and open spaces will be kept free of charge to serve the residents of the locality and for the many physical and mental health and wellbeing benefits they provide. 

Cllr Darren Woodiwiss, Cabinet lead for Car Parking, said: “Our commitment to deliver effective services with sustainable finances is at the forefront of this initiative. We recognise that making some changes will have an impact on residents, businesses and visitors though they are necessary for the essential improvements we need to make.”

The council’s car parking strategy will be discussed at the next Services and Communities Overview & Scrutiny Panel meeting of 31 October.

A period of consultation will then commence between November and January prior to the proposed approval of any final strategy by Cabinet in early 2025.