To consider and decide upon objections to Council proposals to amend the operation of On-Street Parking (OSP) in Hereford City Centre to allow a maximum stay period of 2 hours (with a £3.00 tariff), together with an extension of the scheme to include St Ethelbert Street and a number of parking places in Castle Street, with a standardised operating period. Also to consider and decide upon objections to a new Zone 2 identifier for the Castle Street, St Ethelbert Street and Cantilupe Street permit parking scheme.

To authorise the making and implementation of the On Street Parking – Hereford City Centre Order 2018, as decided upon.

That:

(a)        the making and implementation of The County of Herefordshire District Council (Hereford City Centre) (Amendment 2) Order 2018, as advertised be authorised introducing the following changes to the operation of on-street parking in Hereford City Centre:

·     to extend the maximum stay period for the pay and display parking bays to 2 hours, with an extended tariff structure (up to 30 mins - 50p, up to 1 hour - £1 and up to 2 hours - £3)

·     to extend Pay & Display parking to include St Ethelbert Street and selected parking places in Castle Street, with a standardised operating period of 8am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday, with a continued exemption for permit holders (see plan at Appendix 2)

·     to introduce a Zone 2 identifier for the Castle Street, Cantilupe Street, St Ethelbert

·     to include a provision for the council at its discretion to suspend on-street charging for special events

(b)        A variation of the current contract with Metric Group Ltd in respect of providing an additional 4 pay and display machines for Castle Street and St Ethelbert Street be approved at a cost of no more than £14.1k.

1            Not to proceed with the increase in maximum stay to 2 hours for pay & display parking on street across the OSP or more specifically in the Castle Street/St Ethelbert Street. These proposals were however welcomed by HBID on behalf of the business community and supported by many customers. Any variation in stay for the Castle Street District would also conflict with the principle of standard restrictions and tariffs across the OSP.

2            Not to introduce pay & display parking in Castle Street/St Ethelbert Street, though this would conflict with the requests for longer duration visitor parking in locality by local businesses and service providers.

3            Not to introduce a proportionate tariff of £2, as requested by a number of objectors. This would not however be in line with guidance advising authorities to introduce higher tariffs for on-street parking to encourage the use of off-street parking.