To review the council’s draft parking strategy.

The committee considered a report on the Herefordshire Parking Strategy 2026-41 item.

The principal points of the subsequent discussion are summarised below:

1. The Head of Transport and Access Services and the Transport Planning Service Manager introduced the draft strategy and noted that it is intended to provide a more supportive and community-focused approach to parking policy. The draft was presented ahead of public consultation so that comments from the committee could inform revisions and the consultation questions.

2. In response to a question about how consultation will be delivered, the Transport Planning Service Manager explained that the consultation is intended to use the online consultation portal alongside social media channels, including Facebook, Nextdoor and LinkedIn, with comments received through those channels also considered.

3. The Chairperson added that the consultation materials should, where possible, use more creative and accessible formats in addition to the full document so that a wider range of residents can engage with the strategy. It was added that different materials will be prepared for younger people, businesses and people with disabilities to broaden accessibility.

4. In response to a question about whether the strategy differentiates sufficiently between the needs of Hereford city, the market towns and more rural areas with high car dependency, the Transport Planning Service Manager explained that the draft had not separated Hereford from the rest of the county because the intention was to apply consistent principles across Herefordshire.

5. The Chairperson raised concerns that the strategy did not yet clearly explain the underlying rationale for parking charges. It was acknowledged that additional explanatory text on the reasons for charging would be a useful addition to the strategy.

6. A committee member commented that the strategy would benefit from practical examples showing how its principles would apply to an individual car park or location, in order to illustrate how the strategy would operate in practice.

7. During discussion of the use of parking income, the Cabinet Member Roads and Regulatory Services noted that under section 55 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, parking-related revenue is not simply a general income stream for the authority but is used to support the operation of the parking service and related functions.

8. It was noted in discussion that the strategy should better reflect the current pressures on town centres and market towns, including the increasing size of vehicles, changing high street patterns, supermarkets with free parking, and the need to support dwell time so that visitors stay longer and spend more in local centres.

9. The Transport Planning Service Manager noted that the strategy proposes measures such as pay-on-exit trials, the ability to extend parking virtually, and improvements to the quality of council-operated car parks, including lighting, surfacing, CCTV where possible, and larger disabled bays above minimum standards where possible. 

10. A committee member welcomed the reference in the strategy to ‘positive parking’ and more visible, approachable civil enforcement officers, and suggested that those officers could help inform service improvements because of their direct experience of user behaviour on the ground.

11. In response to a question about ‘futureproofed parking’, it was explained that futureproofing includes real-time information on parking availability, better cashless options, joining the national parking platform, ensuring bay sizes remain appropriate as vehicles change, and expanding electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

12. A committee member emphasised the importance of retaining choice for residents, including the ability to pay by cash. It was confirmed that there is no current plan to remove cash payment options and that the strategy is not intended to make parking cashless.

13. In relation to residents’ parking zones, it was noted that detailed procedural text had been removed from the strategy itself but that guidance would be provided separately.

14. In response to questions about behaviour change and modal shift, it was explained that the strategy is not solely focused on cars and car parking, it also looks at enforcement and what parking can provide including, for example, potential car-sharing initiatives. It was noted that key performance indicators are being developed and that there would be an annual report covering transport strategies, with frequent internal monitoring and more regular reporting where specific schemes are undertaken.

15. In response to a question about pay-on-exit, it was noted that automatic number plate recognition can be used without barriers, and that barriers may create queues and confusion.

16. In response to questions on electric vehicle charging infrastructure, it was explained that work is being undertaken to align provision with future demand and grid capacity constraints, including consideration of alternative technologies such as solar-powered charging. It was also noted that the strategy is intended to influence planning expectations for new developments so that adequate charging provision is designed in from the outset where possible.

Resolved

1. Include a section explaining why Herefordshire Council charges for parking.

2. Engage specifically with enforcement officers as part of the strategy development.

3. Engage as soon as possible with town and parish councils to shape the local approach.

4. Provide evidence of the modal shift arising from the strategy.

5. Ensure the strategy makes clear that the option to pay for parking using cash will remain for all council-provided parking.