NEWS RELEASES
Review of parking charges in Horsham
19th September 2007
DISTRICT councillors are soon to discuss a review of car parking charges in Horsham’s car parks and the Hop Oast park & ride service.
At a meeting on 27 September (2007), Horsham District Council’s Cabinet will discuss a report by Cllr Philip Circus, Cabinet Member for the Local Economy at the Council, on the review of Horsham’s car parking charges.
The matter will then be put to the whole Council at its meeting on 17 October.
The public, local traders and other interested parties will be welcome to attend both meetings.
If the changes contained in the report are agreed, it is proposed that they would come into force on 1 January next year (2008). If this happens this would be the first time prices have changed in more than four years since November 2003.
A key proposal in the review is to introduce a consistent charge of 70 pence an hour into all Horsham town centre car parks (except New Street, Horsham Library and Hurst Road car parks).
The proposal would mean a reduction in long term car parking charges in Horsham’s car parks making up to 8 hours parking decrease in price to £5.60. Over 8 hours would cost £7 - a daily reduction in price of £3 - effectively removing the £10 daily charge in the two town centre car parks in which it currently operates.
The minimum two hour charge would remain in Swan Walk, Blackhorse Way, and Hurst Road car parks and the minimum three hour charge would remain in the BT Exchange car park in North Street.
The Hop Oast Park & Ride service would see the Saturday price changed to match the weekday charge of £1.50. The daily £1.50 charge would still cover a car and up to four passengers. Part time season tickets would also become available for users of the service for the first time.
It is also proposed that investigations are carried out to see if the Number 98 bus route between Southwater and Roffey can be improved as well as incorporate a direct link to Horsham Hospital.
The report also recommends that season tickets would continue to be available for several car parks in Horsham town centre, subject to availability. These would increase in price by 20% but this would still mean that from 1 January next year season ticket holders could still obtain all day parking in Horsham’s town centre car parks for less than £4 per day.
The review also recommends that the discounted price for essential business user season tickets is withdrawn from April next year to create a fairer single season ticket rate whilst the flexibility of part time season tickets would be improved.
Consultation about the proposals is currently taking place with local traders, traders’ groups, neighbourhood councils and other parties.
The Council report also proposes that parking charges in Horsham should be reviewed annually.
Speaking about the proposals, Cllr Philip Circus, Cabinet Member for the Local Economy at Horsham District Council, said:
“In the interests of the local economy, our priority remains to give priority to shoppers and short stay car parking users in Horsham town centre as research shows that the average stay continues to be less than two hours.
“We are also proposing that long term car parking in Horsham is made cheaper so that full and part time workers can benefit.
“Whilst doing all of this we need all parking charges in Horsham to remain as competitive as possible and the proposed new prices, which in some cases are reduced, compare and compete very well indeed with other nearby destinations.”
In addition to the parking review, West Sussex County Council and Horsham District Council are working in partnership and will soon carry out a consultation exercise to test support for extending the on-street Controlled Parking Zones (CPZ) in Horsham. Letters are about to go to 1,300 residents on the edge of the current CPZ asking for their views on parking issues. There are no proposals at the moment and no decisions have been taken.
The closing date for replies is November 30.
Ends
CONTACT: Richard Morris, Communications Manager
Email: richard.morris@horsham.gov.uk