By Parking changes coming to North East Lincolnshire
North East Lincolnshire Council has approved multiple new changes to parking in and around Grimsby and Cleethorpes.
Changes include operational hours, limited stays, and cashless payment via mobile phone or app.
The changes approved by the council include maintaining all-day parking at St Peter’s Avenue, Wardall Street, Market Hall Roof and Cartergate
A four-hour maximum stay will be introduced at Cleethorpes Leisure Centre car park as Lincs Inspire members struggle to park during peak periods.
‘Cashless’ parking will also be introduced as an additional option for payment (pay by phone, web or mobile app). Coin payments will remain.
The phasing out of existing business parking permits in Cleethorpes will also begin, instead transitioning to a season ticket, at the cost of £450.
Existing business permit holders will be able to benefit from a phased approach and pay just £225 for their first year of renewal after the changes are implemented.
A maximum four-hour stay for vehicles parked within Electric Vehicle (EV) only parking bays will be enforced.
Previously, EVs were not included in the order and non-EVs were sometimes parking up in these allocated bays all day.
The inclusion of EV bays will allow enforcement to take place if they are being misused for all-day free parking or by non-EV vehicles.
Operational hours at Thrunscoe Land Car Park in Cleethorpes will be amended. It will close at 7 pm in the winter months and from 10 pm during the summer months.
Market Hall Roof Car Park will also be closed on Sundays, except by notice.
The legal order to allow a reactive introduction of free periods of parking, which would only be enacted with portfolio holder environment and transport approval, and with a statutory 21-day notification period.
The council agreed that a review of car park revenue is undertaken in conjunction with the review of all tariffs and permit prices on an annual basis, commencing with immediate effect.
Councillor Stewart Swinburn, portfolio holder for environment and transport, said: “People in North East Lincolnshire have benefitted from lower pricing of parking in certain areas since 2012 when tariffs were last reviewed. It is worth noting that car parking tariffs in Cleethorpes fall below the current rate of other resorts such as Scarborough and Skegness. The council must also take into account that inflation is currently running at five per cent, which has increased operational costs. Please be assured that any money made via parking revenues is reinvested into the borough’s car parks.”
He added: “In line with these rising costs, and looking at our neighbouring coastal resorts, the decision has been made to create a new approach which will be available to businesses in Cleethorpes. This will see the phasing out of a business permit – which is outdated and refers back to historical agreements dating back to before 2010 – to a season ticket, which can be purchased for a chosen car park in the main resort.
“To honour our existing business permit holders in Cleethorpes, a phased approach will be implemented to allow businesses to pay a reduced rate in the first year of the changes, before transitioning to the full price of a season ticket.
“If people do not wish to purchase a season ticket, the council and EQUANS can assist with a travel plan and look at alternative arrangements.”
No decision has yet been made regarding tariff changes in Cleethorpes, but the authority will fall to the portfolio holder for environment and transport who will receive information and recommendations from officers on specific areas in the resort.
