Update on on-street car parking bay charges in Harpenden and St Albans
An average 1,150 motorists a day are parking at on-street parking bays in Harpenden following the introduction of charges.
The data suggests a high turnover of spaces with each of the 243 bays being used almost five times a day.
The charges were introduced a month ago with one of the aims being to encourage broader use of these slots.
An update on charges was given to a meeting of St Albans City and District Council’s Strategy and Resources Committee on Monday 17 March.
Councillor Paul de Kort, Leader and Committee Chair, revealed that during the first four weeks there were 27,887 parking sessions booked in Harpenden.
Of these, 19,606 were for the free parking sessions of up to 30 minutes and 8,281 involved payment.
The PayByPhone app was the most popular booking method with 78% of the sessions authorised that way and the other 22% made using the payment machines.
In St Albans, charges were introduced at a further 70 bays and these have clocked up 2,043 sessions in the first four weeks.
Cllr de Kort, speaking after the meeting, said:
We have been closely monitoring the data given the considerable public attention the parking bay changes received.
This shows that the new regime is settling in with more than 1,000 motorists a day booking sessions in these on-street bays in Harpenden, the majority for the free half-hour.
The turnover of spaces is now high, meaning that people are not having to circle around the centre of town looking for an available bay should they prefer to visit without using the local car parks.
Access Permit
Cllr de Kort also revealed the latest data for another Council initiative – a car parking Access Permit for older residents.
The permit was introduced last month for residents aged over 70, providing parking for up to three hours a day for £190 a year at all Council car parks.
A total of 294 Access Permits have been issued so far and Cllr de Kort added:
I am very pleased with the take up to date and encourage people to pass on to other eligible residents its existence.
Media contact: John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer: 01727- 819533; john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk.