Guildford Car Parks Are Getting Renovated
Millions are going to be spent on the car parks near Guildford, including the induction of a new pay by phone service. From next year, motorists who use sites such as Bedford Road, Leapale Road, Farnham Road car park Guildford will see the improvements; however no changes to tariffs for 2014/15 will be made. The only increases that will be made are in the cost of season tickets, garage rents and contract parking in the town.
The increase is estimated to bring in an additional £51,950 for Guildford Borough Council and the prices will rise from April 1st by 3%, 5% and 4% respectively. Annual season tickets may be purchased for the cost of £1,000 a year from Guildford Park car park, near the railway station.
As part of the £2.5 million project, work will be carried out on all car park lifts as well as outdoor lightingimprovements and a new CCTV system. A spokesman for Surrey Tax Action Group, Peter Webb said: “The employment of a consultancy at a cost of £50,000 to evaluate alternative options for expanding Millbrook car park indicates a gross management deficiency and therefore a waste of taxpayers’ money.”
A report was published, earlier this year suggesting the car park located on the A281, which currently has 244 spaces, could possibly be increased to around 400 if it was transformed into a three-storey building. It was said that this alteration could be beneficial with the future demand in the town, with the consideration of a underground car park being installed.
In the 2013/14 financial year, the borough council is expected to make an estimated net income of £5.7m from parking charges. In 2012/13, the income was £5,204,690, a drop of 1.6% from the £5,288,363 recorded in 2011/12.
Amanda Masters, from Experience Guildford, said the new pay by phone system would benefit shoppers and businesses. “It is very convenient and the fact it texts you to let you know you have so many minutes left, means you do not have to worry about getting back to the car or getting a ticket.”
On Thursday December 19, shoppers will be able to use all the pay and display car parks in the town free from 4pm and the sites will also be free on Boxing Day. A free park-and-ride service will be offered from the Artington, Merrow and Onslow sites on Saturdays from January 18 to March 29 from 10am.