A review of the tariffs charged at off-street car parks will be considered by Ipswich Borough Council’s Executive during its meeting this evening, Tuesday 11 February.
This outlines various proposals for increases in both short-stay and long-stay parking tariffs and there is a separate recommendation to allow for the sale of season tickets and the introduction of a new tariff for Crown Car Park.
These proposals will assist in covering increased costs across the Council’s operations and contribute to the Council’s savings programme by delivering an expected £307,000 of additional yearly income.
The recommended levels for parking tariffs have been considered alongside the charges being levied by other car park operators in Ipswich and by other comparable local authorities in East Anglia.
For the town centre’s short-stay car parking, of up to five hours, it is proposed to increase the tariff from £1.50 per hour to £1.60 per hour. This proposed tariff will still be 36% lower than it would have been if tariffs had been increased by the rate of inflation since 2011.
Introduction of season tickets for Crown multi-storey car park on weekdays will support local businesses who have identified a need for longer stay parking in the north of the town centre.
For long-stay parking of up to five hours at Fore Street and Smart Street, it is recommended that the tariff increases from £5.50 to £6.40. The all day tariff would rise from £7 to £7.50 at the Council’s other long stay car parks - Norwich Road Shoppers, Princes Street, West End Road, Portman Road A, B, C and D,
The main promotional offer that the Council currently operates on all its public car parks is the '£2.50 after 2pm' Monday to Friday special offer, which also applies to the Cromwell Square on-street parking place which the Council manages on behalf of Suffolk County Council. This offer aims to support the town centre retail trade, as well as the culture and leisure sectors on weekdays, such as afternoon or evening visits to local theatres, cinemas, swimming pools, restaurants and other venues. It is proposed to retain the offer but increase the price to £2.70.
Councillor Jane Riley, Ipswich Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Culture and Customers, says:
“Ipswich Borough Council offers a variety of quality parking at competitive rates to the benefit of shoppers, visitors, and businesses within the town centre.
“Executive last reviewed the short-stay tariffs in June 2022 and the Council has absorbed the increased direct and indirect costs associated with the operation of the Council’s short stay car parks since then.
“These proposals include the introduction of long stay permit parking at Crown Car Park for the first time in order to support workers at nearby businesses.”
Full details of the report to Executive for agreement can be found at: Agenda for Executive on Tuesday 11th February 2025, 6.00 pm | Democracy Online | Ipswich Borough Council