Parking tariffs set to rise in Bishop’s Stortford
It’s hoped the increase in charges will coax drivers into the multi-storey spaces.
Last updated 16th Dec 2023
Its being reported that parking tariffs in Bishop’s Stortford could rise by more than 50 per cent to discourage long stays in short-stay car parks.
The council hope that their plan will coax drivers who park all day out of shopper spaces and into a multi-storey which people are “frightened” of using.
Motorists face paying £6.50 for a 12.5-hour stay at the Apton Road and Basbow Lane car parks – a 25 per cent increase from £5.20.
An up-to-five-hour stay at Elm Road will cost £3.70 – a 54.17 per cent rise from £2.40 – with an all-day tariff rising from £3.60 to £4.20.
But prices will fall at the “long stay” Northgate End multi-storey off A1250 Link Road.
An East Herts Council report reads:
“Currently, Bishop’s Stortford’s car parks are often full before 9am with long-stay parkers, which means that shoppers arriving afterwards drive between car parks while searching to find a space,”
Speaking at a council meeting on Wednesday, December 13, authority deputy leader Councillor Mione Goldspink (LD, Bishop’s Stortford North) said she supports the plan in response to retail sector requests for cheaper spaces at Northgate End.
“very many calculations have been done” to make sure the authority can afford to bump down the price of long stays at the multi-storey.
It’s believed that East Herts Council could rake in an extra £170,250 per year if prices rise and drivers do not change their parking patterns, according to a report put forward by the Green and Liberal Democrat administration.
Councillors voted to introduce the new charges from April 1, 2024 – 25 votes “for” and five “against”, with 12 abstentions.