An hour of free parking in Newport could be on the cards in a bid to bring shoppers back to the county town.
Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council (NCCC) this week put money for the pilot scheme in its budget and is now only waiting for the sign off from the Isle of Wight Council.
As part of a Shaping Newport and NCCC proposal, the parking pilot could be launched for a year in some of the town’s car parks.
Chapel Street, New Street, Lugley Street and Sea Street car parks would be part of the scheme.
The community council is stumping up £40,000 for the pilot, replacing the majority of the Isle of Wight Council’s lost revenue, with the larger authority covering the rest of the predicted £50,000 cost.
Free on-street parking on roads such as the High Street had been suggested, but rejected due to fears of added congestion and retaining the spaces for those with mobility issues.
The pilot has been welcomed by Mark Horton, owner of popular Newport cafe and sandwich bar, French Franks, who said parking in the town was among the most expensive in southern England.
He said:
“Parking is continually cited to us as a major barrier to coming to town for small purchases, such as lunch ‘on the go’.
“For us, short-term street parking would be ideal as it is a quick turnaround and convenient, however, we welcome anything which improves the current situation in any way for the whole town and is desperately needed.”
Cllr Julie Jones-Evans, a member of NCCC, Shaping Newport and the Isle of Wight Council’s cabinet member for regeneration, business development and regeneration welcomed the pilot and said it had been a long time coming.
She said an upturn in people coming to the town was expected, with people parking longer ultimately helping the town recover from Covid.
If the pilot is successful, it could lead to the permanent introduction of an hour’s free parking in the eligible car parks.
For the pilot to go ahead, the Isle of Wight Council will need to agree its costs in the budget next Wednesday, February 23.
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