Parking problems 'costing us millions' warns tourism chief
The Cumberland News
By Anna Burdett
22nd September 06
OVERZEALOUS traffic wardens and parking restrictions are frightening visitors away and costing Cumbria millions of pounds in lost revenue, the county’s tourism chief said yesterday.
Ian Stephens, chief executive of Cumbria Tourism (formerly the Cumbria Tourist Board), says the problem is so serious that visitors are sightseeing from their cars rather than risk getting a ticket if they park up. He believes some visitors are even shunning the county because of the difficulties associated with parking here.
Mr Stephens has written to every local authority and parking provider in Cumbria asking for an overhaul of the parking structure.
Cumbria Tourism is putting together a new strategy that Mr Stephens hopes will be adopted.
He said: “We need to tackle this issue and we are trying to join up the policy on car parking.”
Transferable parking tickets that can be used anywhere in the county and more park and ride schemes are two suggestions likely to be included in the strategy. Cheaper parking at popular attractions could also be introduced.
Mr Stephens added: “There might be quite expensive set-up costs but a change is crucial because people are not getting out of their cars and spending. Cumbria’s losing millions of pounds.
“There is a perception that Cumbria is providing sub-standard facilities and services for visitors who arrive by car.”
Over the coming months, staff from Cumbria Tourism will research parking systems used in other tourist destinations such as Switzerland and parts of the UK.
One of the problems in Cumbria is that different parts of the county use different systems. Mr Stephens believes they should all be brought into line with each other.
In his letter to councils, he points out that many local authorities are making money from parking fines and yet very little is being reinvested to improve the service.
He also highlights concerns about a shortage of parking space, high charges and an insensitive approach of traffic wardens.
Mr Stephens told The Cumberland News: “There is evidence of overzealous car parking attendants. They fine people for being a few minutes late or parked slightly outside the bay. Some would say they are being ripped off.”
In Keswick there were more than 7,000 parking fines issued in 2004, making Allerdale Council £186,055.
While traders in Penrith have said they fear they are losing millions of pounds because shoppers are worried about parking fines.
Andrew Forsyth, executive director of the Friends of the Lake District, agrees there is a problem.
He said: “I think parking charges across the county are very variable and in some places, very high.
“There are tourist destinations where parking is free. Making money out of visitor parking is not something we would condone.”
He has seen evidence that visitors are being put off returning to Cumbria because of the system.
Mr Forsyth added: “It is a huge aspiration to get a single united system in the county. Transferable tickets would be a good start.”
By Anna Burdett
22nd September 06
OVERZEALOUS traffic wardens and parking restrictions are frightening visitors away and costing Cumbria millions of pounds in lost revenue, the county’s tourism chief said yesterday.
Ian Stephens, chief executive of Cumbria Tourism (formerly the Cumbria Tourist Board), says the problem is so serious that visitors are sightseeing from their cars rather than risk getting a ticket if they park up. He believes some visitors are even shunning the county because of the difficulties associated with parking here.
Mr Stephens has written to every local authority and parking provider in Cumbria asking for an overhaul of the parking structure.
Cumbria Tourism is putting together a new strategy that Mr Stephens hopes will be adopted.
He said: “We need to tackle this issue and we are trying to join up the policy on car parking.”
Transferable parking tickets that can be used anywhere in the county and more park and ride schemes are two suggestions likely to be included in the strategy. Cheaper parking at popular attractions could also be introduced.
Mr Stephens added: “There might be quite expensive set-up costs but a change is crucial because people are not getting out of their cars and spending. Cumbria’s losing millions of pounds.
“There is a perception that Cumbria is providing sub-standard facilities and services for visitors who arrive by car.”
Over the coming months, staff from Cumbria Tourism will research parking systems used in other tourist destinations such as Switzerland and parts of the UK.
One of the problems in Cumbria is that different parts of the county use different systems. Mr Stephens believes they should all be brought into line with each other.
In his letter to councils, he points out that many local authorities are making money from parking fines and yet very little is being reinvested to improve the service.
He also highlights concerns about a shortage of parking space, high charges and an insensitive approach of traffic wardens.
Mr Stephens told The Cumberland News: “There is evidence of overzealous car parking attendants. They fine people for being a few minutes late or parked slightly outside the bay. Some would say they are being ripped off.”
In Keswick there were more than 7,000 parking fines issued in 2004, making Allerdale Council £186,055.
While traders in Penrith have said they fear they are losing millions of pounds because shoppers are worried about parking fines.
Andrew Forsyth, executive director of the Friends of the Lake District, agrees there is a problem.
He said: “I think parking charges across the county are very variable and in some places, very high.
“There are tourist destinations where parking is free. Making money out of visitor parking is not something we would condone.”
He has seen evidence that visitors are being put off returning to Cumbria because of the system.
Mr Forsyth added: “It is a huge aspiration to get a single united system in the county. Transferable tickets would be a good start.”
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