Exeter parking charges likely to rise

Council considers 'difficult balance'

Drivers using Exeter’s car parks will be asked to pay more - as well as footing the bill for using a mobile phone app to do it.

The city council has voted to start a consultation on the increase in parking charges, which will see two hours in the city centre rise from £4.50 to £4.90 and an all-day ticket go up from £18 to £19.30.

Parking fees are the council’s biggest earner, generating around £12 million a year.

Drivers will also be asked for their opinions on paying the transaction fee for the RingGo app, a cost which has up until now been absorbed by the council. The fee is around 20p for every transaction.

Car parks at Howell Road and The Triangle could also be moved into the more expensive ‘central’ zone.

Members of the city council’s executive committee voted unanimously to begin the consultation, which will also earmark £75,000 in car park income for maintenance, improvements and carbon reduction.

Car park charges did not increase last year.

Cllr Peter Holland (Con, St Loyes) warned: “If we increase parking charges, more people will shop from home or go to places where they don’t have to pay.

“These charges are the largest income stream we have, but I wouldn’t wish any increase to deter footfall into the city centre.”

Council leader Phil Bialyk (Lab, Exwick) agreed that it was a ‘difficult balance’.