November 23, 2010 8.25 pm This story is over 159 months old

New city-wide parking scheme approved

Forward: New parking scheme set to introduce transferrable tickets and free evening parking at some sites.

Parking prices for council car parks in Lincoln will go up, in exchange for several benefits such as transferable tickets and free evening parking at some sites.

The City of Lincoln Council approved the new parking charges scheme at a Full Council meeting held at the Guildhall on November 23.

The new parking scheme, in operation from January 4, 2011, is claimed to bring value for taxpayers’ money, and revive Lincoln’s night time economy.

The new parking charges were to be originally discussed at the Executive meeting on November 22, but got deferred until the next day for Full Council.

As previously reported, car park income for the City Council will be some £323,000 below budget over the remaining part of the year to March 2011.

Fewer people are already using the council’s 19 parking sites, and with almost 60% of its income coming from parking, the authority needed revamped parking prices.

Parking tariffs in Lincoln will fluctuate across the board with the new scheme, as the VAT increase will be passed on to motorists from next year.

Prices will go up to £1.50 for an hour, £2.50 for two hours and £3.50 for three hours.

The tariffs would still be below those of private parking operators in the city. NCP prices are typically £2.40 for an hour and £4.20 for two hours.

The average overall increase is 4.5%, which is in line with the current retail price index (RPI) of 4.6%, but higher than the current consumer price index (CPI) of 3.1%.

The scheme will also introduce several benefits.

All pay and display tickets purchased up to three hours will be fully transferable between all council car parks.

Also, any daytime tickets purchased at Lucy Tower or Broadgate car parks will allow a free evening parking session (after 6pm) on a day of the weekend.

This concession, only available at the two car parks mentioned above, will apply up to the Sunday following the original ticket purchase.