Borough council slashes parking charges to help town centre rejuvenation plans
Test Valley Borough Council is set to slash its two-hour parking charge by more than 40 per cent and introduce free parking at Shepherds Spring Lane in Andover to help increase visitors to its town centres.
Test Valley Borough Council is set to slash its two-hour parking charge by more than 40 per cent and introduce free parking at Shepherds Spring Lane in Andover to help increase visitors to its town centres.
From April 2020, shoppers will be able to park for two hours for just £1, the same price currently charged for one hour, doubling the amount of time they can stay. And Shepherds Spring Lane car park in Andover, which holds 155 spaces, will soon offer two hours’ free parking, complementing the hundreds of spaces currently free at Romsey Rapids.
The changes will also see the removal of the 30-minute, 45-minute and hour tariffs, with prices starting at £1 for two hours.
Parking portfolio holder and deputy leader, Councillor Nick Adams-King, said: “We have such ambitious plans to rejuvenate our town centres and the one thing we are continually asked for is cheaper parking. So instead of following the old parking strategy of inflationary rises, we’re thrilled that we’re now able to offer free parking in Andover through two-hour stays at Shepherds Spring Lane together with two hours’ parking for the current price of one across the borough.
“The majority of people that park in Test Valley car parks stay for between one and two hours, so these changes will help the greatest number of users. Free parking after 4pm and all day on Sundays and bank holidays will still apply – and with contactless payment now available we’re making sure it is as easy as possible to park up and shop locally.
“While the very short-stay charges will be removed, people will now be able to secure two hours of parking for just £1, which we hope will encourage those parking in the borough not to rush and instead enjoy a little more time in the town centre.”
As well as the four-hour free parking at Romsey Rapids continuing past April 2020, the price to stay all day will also remain at £2.10.
Romsey town centre manager, Mark Edgerley said: “I welcome the reductions in short stay charges and retention of the free period after 4pm and on bank holidays, this sends a very strong message to shoppers and visitors that Romsey welcomes town centre users. The revised charges demonstrate TVBC’s award winning support for small retail businesses and the importance the council places on vibrant town centres”
Andover BID manager, Steve Godwin said: “In our dialogue with businesses, the message has been very clear: that car parking charges are an important factor in the success of the High Street, and something needed to happen. The introduction before Christmas by TVBC of cashless facilities allowing people to use debit and credit cards was the first positive move. The latest news of two-hour free parking in Shepherds Spring Lane car park and reduced parking charges for two hours everywhere else in the town will also be a huge help and will be well received by our businesses and their customers. It sends a positive message that we are open for business and that for just a £1, people will be available to pop into Andover, do their shopping and stay a bit longer for a coffee or something to eat. The news in early January after the busy Christmas and New Year period couldn’t have come at a better time and is just the boost that the town needs as we enter a new decade.”