Dartmouth park and ride charges to be increased for first time in 14 years

Council reaches compromise after talks with community

A rise in Dartmouth's park and ride charges is likely to be lower than expected after a compromise was reached between the town’s key players.

The all-day fee was set to double from £5 to £10 in what would be the first increase since 2010, but South Hams district councillors have decided to go half way and agreed £7.50 at its executive meeting.

Measures will be introduced to try and reduce losses of £154,000 a year from the service.

Annual business permits will increase by more than £200 a year to £555, with general annual permits rising to £317, but the council will also introduce £57 monthly permits to help low-paid local and seasonal workers.

Half-day tariffs for the park and ride will be scrapped and coaches charged £10 for parking all day.

Buses will run during special events, such as music and food festivals and the regatta. Improved access to the new health hub is being reviewed.

New park and ride operating times will be 9am to 6pm from 25 May to 15 September, plus a two-week trial over the Easter holidays. Outside these times the 92 bus service will run. Stagecoach will operate both services.

Council leader Julian Brazil (Lib Dem, Stokenham) said by next year he hoped a  discount scheme for local people would be introduced and the idea of combined ferry and park and ride tickets would be explored.

“We are hopefully supporting those who need it the most,” he said.

Cllr Brazil admitted the council had made a mistake by not engaging with the chamber of commerce, and town and district councillors in Dartmouth early enough but “lessons had been learned.”

He said after discussions with all parties, he believed the plan was “a good deal for Dartmouth.”

“I understand no-one likes price increases, but I think this is a good compromise: £7.50 it’s a 25 per cent decrease on what we were suggesting, so we have listened and learned on that.

“Working with the community now, I am confident we are going to get the parking and the transport system around Dartmouth right. I am hoping we can replicate this kind of compromise and community involvement across the South Hams when it comes to parking and other issues.”

Cllr Ged Yardy (Lib Dem, Dartmouth and East Dart) who is also a member of Dartmouth Town Council, welcomed the proposals, particularly the monthly pass, and appreciated that the council is trying to do its best for locals whilst addressing the increased cost of the service.

“We are bringing in different opinions from different groups and I’m really happy that is taking place,” he said.

But Cllr Nicky Hopwood (Con, Woolwell) said she wouldn’t be supporting the charge increase because it would impact on residents during a cost of living crisis.

She did, however, welcome the festivals been covered by the park and ride.

Cllr Ben Cooper (Lab, Dartmouth and East Dart) asked the authority to consider extending the hours of the park and ride service when these major events were on.

Dartmouth Chamber of Commerce has agreed to work with the district council to drive up numbers using the park and ride to reduce parking congestion in Dartmouth and also to assist with its costs.

A 21-day consultation on the proposals will now take place.