Proposed changes to free car parks: consultation responses and outcome
Proposal
1. Further to a decision by the council’s Environment Committee in November 2023, some changes are proposed to the way three car parks operate in Felpham and Middleton-on-Sea. The car parks are those at Grassmere Close at Felpham, Links Avenue at Felpham and Shrubbs Field at Middleton-on-sea. These car parks have a 24 hour maximum stay period and are free of charge. We aim to gather information about how these car parks are used, and reduce long staying misuse of these car parks. We propose that the car parks remain free of charge but that the maximum stay periods are changed to include a no-return period along with a new requirement to obtain and display a free-of-charge ticket from a machine.
2. As part of the proposed changes, Arun District Council has consulted with the community, stakeholders and any other parties affected by the proposed changes to the free car parks.
Public consultation responses:
- the public were consulted via a public notice in a local newspaper, social media post, home-page of Arun District Council’s website along with an ‘frequently asked questions’ document explaining the changes proposed
- a total of 34 responses were received to the consultation, all against the proposed changes
- a summary of the concerns raised during the consultation period regarding the proposed free parking time and the no return periods follow:
a. The anticipated detrimental impact of the free parking time restrictions on residents, carers, businesses, employees working in the vicinity, local amenities and visitors to the area.
b. Potential abuse of the ticketing system (via pushing the ticket button repeatedly in protest causing the machines to run out of tickets with the associated environmental impact risk including littering).
c. Potential adverse impact on on-street parking in the area. Motorists will choose to park on-street rather than park within the car park and obtain a free ticket.
d. Parking charges would be introduced within the car parks.
e. Taxpayers’ money is being used to carry out the proposed changes.
f. Queries were raised during the consultation regarding pothole repairs.
Arun District Council decision:
Throughout the consultation period, comments were considered as they were received and where appropriate follow-up enquiries were made to understand the issues raised better.
1. Consequent to the representations made it has been decided that the maximum stay time at Grassmere and Shrubbs Field car parks between 8am to 6pm should be increased from the proposed eight hours to nine hours.
2. Following the consultation responses, keypads will be installed on the front of the pay and display machines. Motorists will need to input their vehicle registration details in to obtain a free ticket. This will reduce the risk of the data collected being tainted by misuse and will significantly reduce the possibility of anti-social behaviour.
3. The proposed non-return time at Grassmere Close and Shrubbs Field be reduced from the proposed two hours to one hour.
4. Vehicles will be permitted to park overnight from 6pm to 8am without needing to display a free pay and display ticket in each of the three car parks.
5. At Grassmere Close and Shrubbs Field these changes will enable people to park for up to 23 hours per day free of charge after obtaining and displaying a ticket. This is just one hour per day less than the current restrictions. Overall, the changed restrictions are therefore considered to adversely impact on very few people who abide by the current restrictions at these locations.
6. The Links Avenue maximum stay/non-return periods remain as consulted upon (two hours maximum stay time, with six hour non-return period) to address particularly acute misuse at this location.
7. Concerns were raised that the proposal was to introduce charges. There are no current proposals to introduce charges for parking in any of the three free car parks. Any such decision would be a matter for the Environment Committee to make.
8. Concerns have been raised regarding on-street parking within the villages on zig-zags and yellow lines. The Parking Services team try to reach as many areas of the district as often as possible within the Civil Enforcement Officer resource available.
9. Concerns were raised that Council Tax income is being used to fund the changes and maintenance of these car parks. The funding comes from income generated from council-owned car parks elsewhere in the district.
10. Concerns were raised regarding potholes in the highway. Highway maintenance is the responsibility of West Sussex County Council.
The decision here aligns with the Environment Committee resolution on 21 November 2023.
The go-live date for the changes is yet to be determined but will be later that the originally proposed 1 April.
See here for more information Free car parks – Felpham and Middleton-On-Sea | Arun District Council