Free one hour parking is set to launch in Newport next week as part of an initial six-month trial to tempt more shoppers into the town centre.
From Monday (23rd May), shoppers and visitors wishing to park for up to one hour can park for free in one of the following short stay car parks:
- Lugley Street;
- Sea Street;
- Chapel Street/New Street.
Drivers still need to collect a free pay and display ticket from the parking machine and display it in their windscreen, or register their parking on the PayByPhone parking app.
For stays of over an hour, a ticket for the full parking session must be purchased at the normal tariff. For example, if you want to park for between one to two hours, you will need to purchase a two hour ticket.
The Isle of Wight Council and Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council are working in partnership on the pilot which aims to increase high street footfall and boost trade for local retailers and independent shops.
The initiative is part of the Shaping Newport partnership programme that brings together business and councils to develop a new future for the county town.
Colin Burgess, vice-chair of Newport Business Association, said,
“I hear continually that the cost of parking is a barrier to people visiting our town.
“Let’s remove this barrier by providing some free parking, attract shoppers back to the town centre and boost the economy in Newport.
“If this trial is successful we hope to roll out more initiatives along these lines.”
Cllr Shirley Smart, chairman of Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council which is contributing an initial £20,000 towards the trial, said,
“It is essential that we encourage both our local residents and tourists back into our town, which is why we as the local community council proposed and funded this parking experiment.”
Cllr Phil Jordan, Cabinet member for highways and infrastructure, said,
“As the local economy continues to recover from the pandemic it is vital that we work to support local businesses.
“Working with our partners, we are fully committed to working on a range of innovative projects which will support our towns to thrive and prosper in a post-pandemic society.
“These schemes demonstrate the commitment to work with the town and parish councils across the Island in bringing the best outcomes for their communities in a joint approach and by working together in partnership.”
News shared by Isle of Wight council press office, in their own words. Ed
