At Cabinet on Thursday 9 November, in the first formal review of car parking since 2011, Councillors approved a raft of changes to Tamworth town centre car parks next year, including introducing 30 minutes free parking, increasing the length of stay at Holloway car park and new names for three car parks making them easier for visitors to find.
By introducing a free 30-minute stay at all council car parks, it is hoped to encourage more people into the town for a quick visit or to run an errand, so boosting town centre trade and activity.
The new names for some of the council car parks has been agreed from January to make it easier for visitors to find the locations. This includes:
- Holloway to become Castle
- Riverdrive to become Castle Grounds
- Aldergate to become Assembly Rooms
Visitors to the castle often park in Holloway (to be renamed Castle), but the existing maximum two hours stay discourages visitors from staying longer and exploring the town. By changing the length of stay to four hours, it is hoped castle visitors will go on to explore the town, and so further boost the local economy.
As part of this review, from early 2024 (exact date to be confirmed) parking charges will also increase. Parking charges have remained the same since 2011 and will see charges increase by an average of 66pence for each stay. Even with the increase in charges, Tamworth remains one of the cheapest towns in which to park in Staffordshire. In addition, the price increase is considerably lower than inflation which has risen by 53% since 2011 (According to consumer price index).
Parking for blue badge holders will remain free and there is no change in prices for permit or season tickets holders.
Changes will see an all day stay in a long-stay car park increasing by 50p to £5 and short-stay car parks increasing by 60p for three hours. Although long stay at Jolly Sailor increases by 50p to £2 for an all day stay.
Other car park changes include Hospital Street car parks become long stay car parks, a change of name for some car parks and the length of stay at Holloway car park increasing to four hours like all other short stay car parks. This is aimed at boosting trade in the town centre by making more short stay parking spaces available to shoppers and visitors.
Councillor Paul Thompson, Portfolio Holder for Town Centre and Commercial Property, said: “The council has a total of 13 off street car parks in the town centre, all requiring a payment between 8am and 6pm, Monday and Saturday. We are introducing a free 30-minute stay in all council car parks to encourage more visitors to the town and residents who may need to ‘pop in’ for a quick visit or run an errand.
“We have not made any significant changes to car park tariffs since 2011. With the introduction of the new parking payment machines back in 2021, it was time to review the pricing and short stay time periods, to reflect the consumer usage habits and the income from car parking to fund the parking machines and other valuable council services.
“We believe that renaming some of our car parks will help assist motorists in locating the car parks and make their visit to town easier.”