Wednesday 09 July 2014
Environment Department response to Guernsey Press enquiry.
Guernsey Press Enquiry:
This is not a priority enquiry. Can we please have a response at some point in the week.
When is it likely that the department will finalise plans for how it wants to introduce paid parking?
Given the overarching objectives of the transport strategy is the department minded to consider something like the smart parking metres and seen in Madrid? http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/30/madrid-smart-parking-metres-polluting-cars
Environment Department Response:
The focus of the Minority Report and the feeling very much reflected by States Members during the recent Transport Strategy debate was that an improved and free (for a trial period) bus service should be in place before the introduction of paid parking.
Initial steps have already been taken towards reducing the cost of bus travel through the removal of the £2 cash fare and further proposals are currently being worked on, both in relation to improved service provision and further reducing fares, in the coming months.
The proposed timetable for the introduction of paid parking coincides with the intended date for commencing the new bus contract, 1 April 2015, and this is the current intended target on both fronts.
In terms of the proposed technology and charging methodology to be used for paid parking, the Environment Department will review its options to include using the latest mobile and internet innovations whilst also recognising the need for pay and display machines to ensure that such systems are accessible to all. The suggested charging of different rates for parking according to a vehicle's CO₂ emissions is addressed in the Minority report with discounts of 50% proposed for vehicles emitting less than 100g CO₂/km and preferential spaces being allocated within both short-stay and long-stay parking for small cars.
The technology solutions chosen to support Paid Parking will be those that best meet our own local circumstances.
Contact Information:
Karl Guille, Traffic and Transport Services Manager
Environment Department
Tel: 01481 243 400
