3 ms·

London councils, with their predatory parking restrictions are helping to stifle the high street further.

DrBazza 5y ago
It's just the same out here in the shires. My local council charges something in the region of £4 for 2 hours. I say "something" because as you might guess, and from my parent comment, I have no reason to go into the town, and that's what I can remember from about 3 or 4 years ago! My council claim it's a source of revenue, but then moan that they own the shops in the town and no one is taking up leases. Local shop owners have begged the council to make the car parks free on a trial to see what happens, and the council's response was a) increase the parking fees, b) sell off a car park to a property developer who built an office block, c) sell off a second car park for some 'outdoor cafe culture' development with flats (because the UK is warm in the evenings all year round).
- hogFeast 5y ago
  > My council claim it's a source of revenue, but then moan that they own the shops in the town This is widespread. A lot of councils (when they were complaining about central govt cuts, and threatening to cut vital services) actually bought into retail properties. I believe central govt put a stop to it but a lot of the damage has already been done. I read about a local council that got an opinion on a shopping centre, their consultant told them not to buy it, they did anyway...lost it all. Truly staggering levels of incompetence.
- Gortal278 5y ago
  I would hardly call 4 pounds predatory
- tonyedgecombe 5y ago
  On the other hand my nearest reasonably sized town has free parking yet the department stores have still closed.
hkt 5y ago
Councils are trying to encourage you to travel more sustainably, and they're doing that by valuing the land you're using for parking appropriately. The fact is, free parking is subsidised parking and it isn't right that public authorities are subsidising your choice to drive.
- DrBazza 5y ago
  > Councils are trying to encourage you to travel more sustainably Not consciously. My council 100% use car parks as a source of revenue. That the price discourages people is a side effect of supply and demand. Particularly in London where space is at a premium. Any "carbon neutral thinking" by my council is accidental, except when they buy a bunch of electric vehicles.
  - hkt 5y ago
    I'm sure some do use it as a source of revenue. They should be allowed to conceive of and levy local taxes of all kinds instead, really. Councils' lack of financial flexibility makes politicians of all stripes unable to deliver on even basic pledges.
diordiderot 5y ago
Shops in car free areas are often multiples higher in revenue. Cars emit pollution and particulates that harm every one around them. They require ever increasing subsidized infrastructure. Google induced demand. They contribute to obesity. They kill millions accidents. If it weren't for the government intervention you wouldnt be driving.
- beebeepka 5y ago
  In my experience the UK is doing fine with cars. Lot of people walk compared to around here in Bulgaria where everyone must own at least one 20 year old clunker blasting all kinds of nasty clouds and sound. People don't even walk to the store on next street and the fucking sidewalks are used for parking. Not only people don't mind, the vast majority seems to love it. Man, it's so depressing.

It's just the same out here in the shires. My local council charges something in the region of £4 for 2 hours. I say "something" because as you might guess, and from my parent comment, I have no reason to go into the town, and that's what I can remember from about 3 or 4 years ago! My council claim it's a source of revenue, but then moan that they own the shops in the town and no one is taking up leases. Local shop owners have begged the council to make the car parks free on a trial to see what happens, and the council's response was a) increase the parking fees, b) sell off a car park to a property developer who built an office block, c) sell off a second car park for some 'outdoor cafe culture' development with flats (because the UK is warm in the evenings all year round).

hogFeast 5y ago
> My council claim it's a source of revenue, but then moan that they own the shops in the town This is widespread. A lot of councils (when they were complaining about central govt cuts, and threatening to cut vital services) actually bought into retail properties. I believe central govt put a stop to it but a lot of the damage has already been done. I read about a local council that got an opinion on a shopping centre, their consultant told them not to buy it, they did anyway...lost it all. Truly staggering levels of incompetence.
Gortal278 5y ago
I would hardly call 4 pounds predatory
tonyedgecombe 5y ago
On the other hand my nearest reasonably sized town has free parking yet the department stores have still closed.

hkt 5y ago

Councils are trying to encourage you to travel more sustainably, and they're doing that by valuing the land you're using for parking appropriately. The fact is, free parking is subsidised parking and it isn't right that public authorities are subsidising your choice to drive.

DrBazza 5y ago
> Councils are trying to encourage you to travel more sustainably Not consciously. My council 100% use car parks as a source of revenue. That the price discourages people is a side effect of supply and demand. Particularly in London where space is at a premium. Any "carbon neutral thinking" by my council is accidental, except when they buy a bunch of electric vehicles.
- hkt 5y ago
  I'm sure some do use it as a source of revenue. They should be allowed to conceive of and levy local taxes of all kinds instead, really. Councils' lack of financial flexibility makes politicians of all stripes unable to deliver on even basic pledges.

diordiderot 5y ago

Shops in car free areas are often multiples higher in revenue. Cars emit pollution and particulates that harm every one around them. They require ever increasing subsidized infrastructure. Google induced demand. They contribute to obesity. They kill millions accidents. If it weren't for the government intervention you wouldnt be driving.

beebeepka 5y ago
In my experience the UK is doing fine with cars. Lot of people walk compared to around here in Bulgaria where everyone must own at least one 20 year old clunker blasting all kinds of nasty clouds and sound. People don't even walk to the store on next street and the fucking sidewalks are used for parking. Not only people don't mind, the vast majority seems to love it. Man, it's so depressing.