CAR PARKING STRATEGY DRIVEN TO TOP OF COUNCIL AGENDA

3.41.20pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 24th Sep 2009

Councillor Christine Carter has tabled a question for next week's Council meeting on the lack of long-term car parking in Paignton, which could be driving businesses and tourists away.

Councillor Carter's question to the Cabinet Member for Transport Councillor Chris Lewis is:

"What are the Conservative administration's plans for long-term car parking in Torbay, and particularly in Paignton?

There is also a lack of car parking spaces in the Bay for larger vehicles, such as camper vans, 4 wheel drive vehicles, and cars with top boxes (which are also too tall for the NCP car park and multi storey car parks) which many tourists use. This is driving people to travel to other tourist areas in the south west. Does the administration plan to increase the number of car parking spaces for larger vehicles?"

Commenting on her question Councillor Carter said, "There is a real problem developing in Paignton due to the lack of car parking where people can leave their cars all day. I am aware of two businesses that are considering leaving Paignton because it is so difficult for their staff to park their cars all day.

"It is also very difficult for families who have come on holiday to leave their cars. It is all very well having parking meters, but they only allow parking for short periods of time. Also, may tourists travel to Paignton in large vehicles or have top boxes on their cars - and as a result cannot physically get into a car park!

"The Mayor's Vision envisages building on many of the Car Parks in Paignton - for example the new library is being built on a car park. I really worry that the Conservative administration are driving tourists and business away because they haven't thought through their parking strategy."