Proposed parking price hike prompts outcry

There are fears a proposed rise in carparking charges in Newark will be another nail in the coffin for town-centre trade.

Newark and Sherwood District Council is considering increasing charges at Newark carparks as it looks to make savings of about £1.7m in next year’s budget.

There is also likely to be no free carparking in the run-up to Christmas.

Traders have reacted angrily to the proposals, revealed in a report to tonight’s cabinet meeting at Kelham Hall.

The suggested rises, due to be decided in December, vary from 2% to 14%.

The biggest rise would be in the cost of parking for two to four hours at the London Road and Baldertongate carparks - from £2.20 to £2.50.

Most of the increases would be by 10p, although evening parking would remain at £1, as would the charge for an hour at London Road and Baldertongate.

The rises are designed to cover the increase in VAT from 171/2% to 20% from January, as well as increase the income to the council.

Commenting in the report, the council’s head of finance, Mr David Dickinson, said: “Given the current financial situation faced by the council, it is sensible to look for new sources of income, and this would help mitigate the impact of the loss of the carpark at Potterdyke.”

However, Mr Dickinson said at this stage it was not possible to assess the full impact of the loss of Potterdyke (to the Asda development) or whether the loss of income would be partially off-set by increases at other council carparks.

Mr David Moore, of G. H. Porter Provisions on Bridge Street, said: “The council says tough decisions need to be made, but there is a difference between tough decisions and stupid decisions, and this is a stupid decision.

“It might raise a bit of income in the short term but in the long term it will drive shoppers away from Newark.

“Once people stop coming to Newark it is hard to get them back again.

“With the carpark space at the moment it is another nail in the coffin that we don’t need.”

The council’s cabinet member for sustainable development and regeneration, Mr Roger Blaney, said new carparks had been provided by the council in anticipation of the Asda development.

He said the carparks at the former Mount Primary School site, the Riverside Arena and the soon-to-open temporary carpark at Potterdyke, accessed off Pelham Street, provided about the same number of spaces that had been lost.

Mr Blaney said: “As long as retailers have got their business model right there is no reason why they shouldn’t prosper in Newark.”

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