Anger after parking charges on agenda for Northallerton High Street

Fears have been raised that Northallerton’s economy will be hit by another blow after the county council revealed plans to introduce car parking charges on its High Street.

Senior councillors in North Yorkshire will meet next week to discuss the move which traders fear could stop shoppers coming into the town centre and going elsewhere.

The changes are being considered at a time when the town is already reeling from the news of hundreds of job losses.

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It follows a recent announcement that HMP Northallerton is to close by March, alongside three others across the country, as part of Government plans. The news came after workers at the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) in Northallerton were told the department was being relocated as part of Government cost-cutting moves and the operation in the town will close.

Marcus Grover, of Grovers Toymaster, in Northallerton, said: “We are losing two of our major employers in Northallerton, with the prison closing and the rural payments, and we desperately need Northallerton to have a boost and this will seriously affect the vitality of Northallerton.”

He added: “We do not want our town centre dying.”

Officers are proposing that people will still be able to park for the first thirty minutes for free but after that shoppers will be charged 80p for an hour and £1.60 for two hours.

A report to members of North Yorkshire County Council’s executive committee, which meets on Tuesday, says: “The key anomaly is that whilst there are charges in the off-street car parks managed by Hambleton District Council, it is currently free to park in the designated parking bay on the highway.”

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It adds: “It is proposed that parking charges are introduced on the High Street in Northallerton as a demand management tool to improve traffic flows and encourage shorter stays, thus enabling more people to park, both of which would have a benefit on the local economy.”

“The existing arrangements mean that there is no incentive for motorists to park in off-street car parks, where they have to pay, which leads to increased traffic on the High Street and associated congestion.”

Coun Ken Billings (Cons, Northallerton North) a member of Hambleton District Council said yesterday: “I would be concerned that it would affect local businesses.

“In the current economic climate I would be concerned about introducing any more charges.”

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In a report to be considered by members, however, officers say the move will help ease congestion, reduce journey times and improve air quality. They say there are a number of factors which limit the economic impact.

“The 30 minute free period will mean that approximately 45 per cent of drivers will pay nothing to park. This will enable shoppers, including those travelling to and from work, to visit shops on the High Street without having to pay,” the report says.

Members of the committee will also be asked to back proposals for officers to review the need for further parking management measures in other parts of the county.

To help the town cope with nearly 600 job losses in 2014-15, a task force has been launched, including a number of partners.

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It aims to ensure those facing 
job losses have the skills to find other jobs and aims to support those interested in setting up 
their own businesses following the news about the prison and RPA.

Earlier this month Foreign Secretary and Richmond MP, William Hague, met Hambleton District Council leader, Mark Robson, to discuss the issue.