Liverpool Council has raised parking charges across the city centre for the second time this year. From Sunday, November 1, motorists are paying more for spaces in the heart of town following a review that began in April.
New tariffs for inner and outer zones
The price of half an hour in the inner city centre has risen to £2.40, while an hour now costs £4.60. The increase applies to all council-owned car parks and spaces throughout the city centre.
The rise is in line with the consumer price index (CPI) increase of 3.1%. The largest uplift on any single tariff in a council car parking space is 70p.
Cabinet members approved the changes to fees and charges during a meeting last month. Cllr Ruth Bennett, deputy leader and cabinet member for finance, resources and transformation, said the authority was continually monitoring fees and charges so they remained competitive and sustainable.
Review across council services
A commercial review of charges covering leisure, parking, Liverpool Film Office, bereavement services and city halls took place between April and Autumn this year. Benchmarking work also assessed costs against other core cities around the country.
A 30-minute space in the inner parking zone, now chargeable from 7am to 11pm, has gone up by 10p from £2.30 to £2.40. A two-hour stay has risen to £6.80 from £6.50, while up to four hours, or five hours after 6pm, now costs £11, up from £10.60.
In the outer zone, 30 minutes increased by 10p to £1.90, with one and two-hour stays lifted by 20p to £3.60 and £5.60 respectively.
Revenue and financial impact
On average, across all council-managed spaces, including Victoria Street, Paddington Village, Mount Pleasant and Kings Dock car parks, parking prices are rising by an average of 4%. These are discretionary charges, meaning the council is not bound by law to introduce them.
A cabinet report said this income makes an important contribution towards the cost of delivering services and supports the overall financial sustainability of the council by reducing the subsidy required from the city's general fund. It is thought the average increase will generate an additional £1.4m.
Despite the fee increase, revenue generated by parking services over this financial year is expected to come in around the same amount short of its own forecasts. The uplift also comes as the council faces a potential court battle over its late-night charging policy, following a legal challenge set by business leaders.
