An update on the Park & Ride consultation
Source: swdevon.gov.uk
The original proposal for the Park & Ride in Dartmouth was to implement a £10 all day parking charging but, following discussion with DTC and DDCC amongst others, it was agreed to reduce the all day parking charge to £7.50 and introduce the monthly workers permit. A public consultation was also launched, and below is a summary of the key details from that consultation:
- 68 responses were received, of which, 53 were formal objections (34 specifically referred to tariff/permit increases), 4 were neutral responses and 11 supported the proposals. The response rate to this consultation is exceptionally low given the size of the cohort of people who were consulted.
- It was stated the council should be encouraging visitors and residents to the towns and not discouraging with increased charges.
- The parking charges are unaffordable in a cost-of-living crisis.
- Would like to see no charges at the Park & Ride in the winter.
- Don’t agree with increasing prices and reducing the service.
- Permits are too expense and unaffordable to those that work in Dartmouth.
- Coach prices should be increased higher than the proposed £10.00 all day.
- Service not operating long enough into the evening to support the evening economy
- There is a need to have a joined up approach with all the parking issues in Dartmouth rather than looking at the Park & Ride in isolation.
- Need to consider local residents in terms of pricing and availability of service
- Need to consider more sustainable and greener solution.
- Need to have a review of the permit system in operation within Dartmouth.Our response to the objections and representations are as follows:
The council response to the objections and representations are as follows:
- There was a significant increase to the Park & Ride contract cost which meant the service was operating an a deficit estimated at £154,000 in 2023/24. Therefore, the review of the service was required to ensure a sustainable financial position moving forward.
- Whilst anticipated that the service will operate at a loss at a ticket price of £7.50, a stepped increase is a more appropriate way to manage cost pressures and encourage the visitor economy within Dartmouth.
- The increase in tariff options ensure that the service can be operated in a more financially sustainable way covering the costs of operating the service only.
- There is a need to ensure there is a balance budget given the inflationary pressures and the significant increase in costs such as fuel, utility costs and contract costs etc.
- Although permit prices have increased, they still provide good value for money if used on a regular basis and provide a significant discount compared with the daily charge paid each day.
- The introduction of the Dartmouth Park & Ride monthly worker permit provides a flexible approach for seasonal workers or those who are on lower paid jobs to have the option to purchase a permit.
As stated in the Executive report, the Director and Portfolio Holder having reviewed the responses (of which they were extremely limited in number and did not require the proposals to be amended) have agreed to implement the proposals and the new parking charges will come into effect on the 25th May. The Council will of course continue to review all the data in relation to the park & ride and will review the service at the end of the season, with the relevant parties (including DTC and DDCC).