Lib Dems Listen to Parking Consultation (Milton Keynes Liberal Democrats)

Milton Keynes Liberal Democrats <info@mk-libdems.co.uk>

Lib Dems Listen to Parking Consultation

February 8, 2009 8:54 PM

Following consultation meetings last week with key Central Milton Keynes partners to discuss car parking charges and investment in improved bus services, the Council's Liberal Democrat leadership has announced its intention to review the decision to increase the standard bay charge by 10 pence per hour in April. Instead, it will be proposing to increase the charge by just 5 pence per hour in May and to postpone the further 5 pence increase until July 2010.

Council Leader councillor Isobel McCall said: "The partners I met last week are fully committed to the Council's ambition to deliver a vastly improved public transport system. They raised concerns about the impact of parking charge increases during the recession. Phasing of the increase was a suggestion that came out of the discussions. They also wanted to see a continuing dialogue about transport and parking between the Council and key partners."

The Lib Dem administration is also bringing forward its proposals to introduce payment by mobile phone options in premium bays. It is anticipated that this scheme will start in May and will mean that people using premium bays won't need to worry about having the right coins for a meter and will get a text message reminder when their parking is about to run out. They will be able to top up their payment without going back to their car.

Isobel McCall continued: "Retail representatives were very enthusiastic about payment by mobile phone as it will particularly benefit shoppers and visitors to CMK. They suggested that we introduce the premium rate increase at the same time as the new system and we think that is a very good idea. This is why we are proposing to defer all changes to parking charges until May, so that the benefit of the mobile phone technology in premium bays can be introduced at the same time.

"The meetings last week were constructive and I hope will provide us with a way forward that recognises concerns of CMK businesses and will deliver the improved bus service that we all need. A number of useful ideas came out of the meetings that we will explore over the next year or so. We have learned that we need to have a continuing conversation with key partners in Central Milton Keynes, and not just ask them to respond to formal consultations."