Shoppers in Andover will pay the same for parking in the coming year as local councillors agreed to freeze parking tariffs across the borough for another year.
In what should be seen as a boost for town centre businesses, the leader of Test Valley Borough Council, Cllr Phil North said, “When I was elected to the leadership of Test Valley I made it clear that one of my top priorities was to sustain and rejuvenate our town centres.”
Last night Cabinet members considered the annual ‘Fees and Charges report’, which reserved the right to investigate increase parking charges for 2018/19. The Cabinet said that this would not be required and they had no plans to increase car parking charges.
Deputy Leader of the Council, Cllr Nick Adams-King said, “We are committed to keeping car parking charges as low as possible to encourage people into our towns and to stay there for longer. I’m pleased that we’ve been able to freeze the prices for 2018/19.
“We are cheaper than our neighbouring authorities.”
Cllr North added, “We are building a brand new leisure centre; working with the County Council through the Andover Vision to create a new urban park on the banks of the Anton; developing exciting plans for the Former Magistrates’ Court and I’ve longer term aspirations for a more fundamental overhaul of our shopping space.
“Our whole approach is about trying to attract more people into our town centres and decrease vacancy rates – now is not the right time to increase parking charges.”
Parking currently costs 50p for half an hour and less than £6 for a whole day. All Council run car parks are free after 4pm, overnight and all day on Sundays and bank holidays.
The Council will begin promoting its Christmas car parking voucher scheme soon, which will give drivers an extra hour of parking when they purchase a minimum of one hour.
