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Anger at car parks money-spinner
TOWN centre parking charges look set to rise as part of moves by the council to boost income.
Motorists will have to pay more to park on the street and in some of the resort's car parks if the move goes ahead.
Inner zone on-street charges will rise from 20p to 30p for a minimum 20 minute stay, and from 1.20 to 1.30 for the maximum 90 minutes.
Fees for the outer zone will also go up, with a maximum two-hour stay rising 20p to 1.40. It will cost 1 to park for an hour in the town centre – up 60p from 18 months ago.
The cost of short-stays in council car parks is also to increase, and a new 12-hour tariff of 7.50 will be introduced, in a change which will bring in an additional 343,558 income.
Talbot Road multi-story charges are going up, with the cost for up to four hours doubling to 2.
Charges are also increasing in Central Coach, South, South Beach, Sandsway, Rigby Road, Blundell Street, Lonsdale Road, Central Beach, Bank Street, Gynn Square and Starr Gate, with 24-hour tariffs up from 7 to 10. Longer stays remain the same.
Traders have slammed the decision, with businesses having to contend with the impact of the recession and disruption in the town centre caused by regeneration schemes.
A spokesman for the Blackpool Seasonal Traders Association said: "With the economy in the state it is and Blackpool town centre in such a mess, I don't think the council is in any position to raise charges.
"If ever there was chance to rub salt into wounds, this is it."
Graham Scott, who owns two shops on the Promenade as well as Bargain Buys in Birley Street, said: "It's the wrong time to increase charges with so much disruption in the town centre. The council should be trying to encourage people, not deter them."
Opposition councillor David Owen has called in the decision for further scrutiny.
He said: "I think the charges for short term parking have got out of hand. We are penalising the short term and giving those who stay for ages a better deal.
"This will impact on a lot of people, visitors and residents, so I have asked for it to be looked at again."
Coun Ian Fowler, cabinet member for business services, said he could not comment until the matter was examined by the policy, overview and scrutiny committee on Wednesday.
Last April the council scrapped some proposed increases after an outcry from traders.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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