All-day parking in Chichester will rise from £3 to £3.50 a day while monthly tickets will cost £5 more – rising to £35.

The proposals have been put forward in a bid to cover inflation and carry out much-needed improvements, with some charges set to rise and others remaining the same in a package proposed for 2009-10.

A total of £360,000 in extra income is predicted as a result of the changes – £175,000 to cover inflation and committed spending and £185,000 for improvements.

The executive board is recommending £600,000 should be spent over the next four years on a refurbishment of the Avenue de Chartres decked car park.

The improvements will include removing and replacing a waterproof coating on the roof, anti-graffiti coatings and concrete repairs.

On top of that, £35,000 is to be earmarked towards a scheme for 'variable message signing' for the car parks to indicate the number of vacant spaces in the city centre.

Council leader Cllr Myles Cullen said the most important thing as far as visitors to Chichester were concerned was the new messaging system.

"I've seen people going round in frustration, not able to find anywhere to park," he added. "This will be a great enhancement for visitors trying to find a parking space."

Derek James, portfolio holder for community safety, said that compared with rival centres at Worthing and Portsmouth, Chichester's car park prices remained very competitive.

The plans follow hot on the heels of the district's council's hike of the cost of all-day parking in the city centre's short stay car parks to £10, in a move designed to keep them free for shoppers.

But a report to the board warned that increased charges may result in some city centre workers looking for free on-street parking.

The recommendation will now be passed on to the full council for approval on October 21.

What will the new charges be?

Short stay 2008/9 2009/10

Up to 1 hour 80p £1
Up to 2 hours £1.60 £2
Up to 3 hours £3 £3
Up to 4 hours £5 £5
Over 4 hours £10 £10

Long Stay 2008/9 2009/10

Up to 1 hour 50p 60p
Up to 2 hours £1 £1.20
Up to 3 hours £1.50 £1.80
Up to 4 hours £2 £2.40
Up to 5 hours £2.50 £3
Over 5 hours £3 £3.50

Roving season tickets to rise from £30 per month to £35 per month, or
£324 per year to £378 per year.
Specific season tickets to raise from £400 per year to £460 per year.


Chichester all day parking (long stay) compared with other areas:

Arundel £4
Bognor Regis £2.50
Chichester £3
Littlehampton £2
Guildford £4.80
Petersfield £2.40
Portsmouth £10
Worthing £9.20



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