Market town’s parking charges revised

NEW parking charges in a Yorkshire Dales town have had to be revised after concerns were raised about the impact on trade.

By The Newsroom

Published 16th Mar 2012, 06:00 BST

The new fees for parking at Richmond Station and Richmond Swimming Pool are being reduced by as much as 55 per cent after councillors were warned that higher charges could drive customers away.

Motorists had faced paying £1.10 for the first hour, with charges rising to £3.10 for four hours of parking. But the revised fees will mean there will be 59 short-stay bays charged at 50p for up to one hour, £1 for up to two hours and £2 for up to three hours. The first 30 minutes will be free.

Another 49 spaces are to be used for longer stays of more than three hours at a charge of £3. Parking after 6pm will be free. A three-week consultation on the revised fees will end on April 6, before Richmondshire District Council sets a date to introduce the charges.