New parking fees approved by Council

Proposals to introduce fairer parking charges have been given the go
ahead by Thanet District Council.

The new system, approved at Full Council last night (Thursday 19
April), will see residents and visitors paying by the hour in car parks,
with linear charges introduced to most on street parking across Thanet.


To encourage more local shopping in Thanet’s town centres, free
parking will also be introduced as part of the new plans on Saturdays at
car parks in Vere Road in Broadstairs, Leopold Street in Ramsgate, Mill
Lane in Margate and Harold Road in Cliftonville.

Albion Road in Birchington will have half an hour’s free parking each
day on a trial basis.

Cabinet Member for Corporate and Regulatory Services, Cllr. Clive Hart,
said: “The free parking is great news for motorists and businesses in
Thanet. We’ve listened to residents and local businesses and
understood that we needed to simplify our approach with parking charges.
Full Council have now endorsed a system which we hope will be fairer for
everyone”.

The new plans will see most roadside bays in Thanet cost 20p for 10
minutes parking and £2.40 for two hours. Due to their locations, Cecil
Square and Albert Terrace in Margate, Harbour Parade in Ramsgate and
Victoria Parade and Lawn Road will be slightly higher to try to deter
vehicles from blocking prime parking spots for too long. It is hoped
that this approach will encourage a higher turnover of parking, while
providing time for people to do their shopping.

Off street car parks will now fall into three categories:

1. Premium off street car parks in prime locations across the area,
charging 80p per hour up to four hours. To park for between five and 15
hours will cost £4.

2. Off street car parks, charging 50p per hour up to four hours.
Parking for between five and 15 hours at these car parks will cost
£2.50.

3. Off-street short stay car parks, where people can only park for a
maximum of four hours, at a charge of 80p per hour.

In addition, five car parks, Albion Street, Chandos Square and Joss Bay
in Broadstairs, Marina Esplanade in Ramsgate and St. Mildred’s Bay,
will have higher summer charges from the beginning of April to the end
of October.