True or False - Changes to Central Milton Keynes Parking

8.47.00pm GMT Mon 2nd Feb 2009

Milton Keynes Council leader, Liberal Democrat councillor Isobel McCall, has received hundreds of letters and e-mails commenting on the proposed changes to parking arrangements in central Milton Keynes, and is replying personally to all of them.

Isobel says: "I'm delighted so many people are letting us have their views. But it does appear from  my postbag that there are some common misconceptions about what's proposed, so I've made a list of some of the main points."

THE COUNCIL IS LOOKING AT WAYS TO IMPROVE THE BUS SERVICE IN MK

TRUE: Milton Keynes Council is planning to invest more than £3 million into local bus services, on top of £2 million already allocated this year. We'll be raising funds partly via proposed changes to parking fees in central MK.

FREE PARKING IS DISAPPEARING NEXT MONTH

FALSE: We will be holding a public consultation over Spring/Summer 2009 on our proposals to replace free central parking spaces with a new Economy Rate space (25p per hour). We propose to introduce this rate in Autumn 2009.

OTHER PARKING RATES COULD CHANGE IN APRIL

TRUE: We are proposing that the Standard Rate will change from 25p to 35p per hour and the Premium Rate from £1 to £1.20 per hour from April.

PARKING CHARGES ARE BEING REDUCED IN THE THEATRE CAR PARK

TRUE: From April we are reducing the price to park from £2 per visit to prices ranging from 50p for 2 hours, up to all day parking for only £1.50. We have also widened the ramps which had previously caused problems for drivers.

EMPLOYEE PARKING IS RISING TO £500 PER YEAR

FALSE: Currently, full time employees can buy an annual permit for £225. From April this will increase to £315, equivalent to £26.25 per month.

IT'S CHEAPER TO PARK IN MILTON KEYNES THAN OTHER LOCAL TOWNS AND CITIES

TRUE: Parking in Luton starts at 40p per hour, Bedford from 50p per hour and Northampton from 60p per hour compared with our proposed Economy rate of 25p per hour. Our employee permits are much cheaper; on average 25% of the cost of those in nearby towns.

THERE'S NOT ENOUGH PARKING IN MK FOR PEOPLE WITH PERMITS

FALSE: We conduct regular surveys of MK's 21,000 parking spaces to confirm spaces remain available for permit users, and publish the results on www.miltonkeynes.gov.uk/mkparking in map form. The results consistently show some areas have less than 50% occupancy.

IF I CAR SHARE, I'M ELIGIBLE TO PARK FOR FREE

TRUE: MK's car sharing scheme is the most successful in the UK. Around one in 10 central MK employees car share - visit www.mkweb.co.uk/transportmk for details.

MK RESIDENTS AND PEOPLE WHO DRIVE GREENER CARS MIGHT GET CHEAPER RATES

TRUE: We are looking at options to reduce parking rates for residents and people who drive low emission cars (i.e. vehicles that are exempt from tax due to their low emissions).

COUNCIL EMPLOYEES ALL RECEIVE FREE PARKING

FALSE: With the exception of a handful of employees who work in the field, such as social workers, for whom we have limited spaces behind the Civic Offices, council employees pay the same rate as other workers.

Isobel added:

"We understand this is a significant change, especially at a time when people are watching every penny.

"People tell us they want an improved bus service, and it's inevitable that as Milton Keynes grows, more pressure will be put on our transport system. Our actions now are just one of the ways we are planning ahead to keep Milton Keynes a great place to live and work in the future."