Major Exeter car parking changes proposed - including price hikes

The council wants to make price hikes and other changes

An extensive review of car parking in Exeter could result in major changes being implemented not just in the city centre but across different areas of the city. Exeter City Council (ECC) has launched a consultation over proposed changes to future car parking provision.

It will include increasing the cost of seasonal, residential, and business parking permits, introducing parking charges at sports centre, reintroducing one-hour parking for some city centre car parks and creating a temporary car park on the site of the former bus station. The outcome of the consultation will create a 2024 Parking Places Order which will be reported to the council’s Executive later in the autumn.

ECC says the changes are needed to balance its budget and achieve its projected car park income and help achieve its Net Zero ambitions. The council operates more than 40 car parks across four zones in Exeter, and from 2022 to 2023 saw a 1.44 per cent reduction in the number of car park tickets sold.

Car park income helps deliver a wide range of services that attract people to live, work and visit Exeter, according to the council. Some of the changes proposed are said to be in direct response to calls from the business community to address difficult trading conditions and wider economic challenges city centres face.

The proposed changes include:

• Setting aside £100,000 for maintenance and improvements to city centre car parks
• Introducing residential parking permits for those living within the immediate vicinity of Belmont Road Park Car Park
• Changes to the cost of a seasonal, residential, and business parking permits
• Changes in car parking charges to support a strong city centre by ensuring sufficient space is available with turnover of spaces
• The introduction of a one-hour charge for car parks located in Zone 2
• Amending the hours of the John Lewis Car Parks to 8am to midnight
• Introducing charges to car parks at Pinhoe Railway Station, Bridge Road, Riverside Leisure Centre, Wonford Sports Centre and Exeter Arena to ensure they are used by their intended customers
• Introducing new temporary parking provision at the former bus station site in Paris Street

In terms of car parking charges, it is proposed to keep Sunday charges the same as 2023 charges to spread peak Saturday traffic to a Sunday. However, charges to park in its car parks from Monday to Saturday. In the 'central' area it will increase such as from £4.50 to £4.90 for two hours and from £18 all day to £18.40.

A one-hour parking fee of £2 will be introduced Monday to Saturday and £1.80 for a Sunday in Zone 2 car parks that are located within the city centre: Belmont Road Car Park, Bystock Terrace Car Park, Cathedral and Quay Car Park, Parr Street Car Park, and Richmond Road Car Park. The reason for it being reintroduced is said to be to support the business community, to enable their customers to attend appointments and for those that shop online and opt for Click and Collect.

The opening times of John Lewis car park will be extended from 8am to 9.45pm Monday to Sunday, to 8am to midnight. The reason given for introducing car park charges such as at sports centres is to make use of a temporary site in the city centre until a permanent use is sought and ensure the other car park sites listed are used by their intended customer base.

Annual season ticket permits are set to significantly increase within the next couple of years. Currently, a business annual season ticket for the Cathedral and Quay car park for existing permit holders is £850. By 2026/27 it is proposed to rise to £1,150.

A residential annual season ticket at the Cathedral and Quay car park currently costs £200 for existing permit holders and could increase to £350 by 2026/27. However, for those looking to buy a new parking permit, these increases will come in sooner. For example, a business annual season ticket for the Cathedral and Quay car park will cost £1,150 by 2024/25.

A new residential annual season ticket at the Cathedral and Quay car park will cost £350 by 2024/25. A new car park permit will be introduced for Exeter Leisure Members for Riverside Leisure Centre, Wonford Sports Centre and Exeter Arena.

A consultation will be launched with nearby residents to introduce residential car parking only after 6pm at Belmont Road Car Park due to ongoing issues and complaints with students and Airbnb guests using the car park. A permit would cost £350 per annum, and which residents are eligible for parking permits will form part of the consultation.

The council has added that from the additional £100,000 income set aside for maintenance and improvements, it will be used on improving the look and feel of car parks located within the Central Zone, especially Cathedral and Quay to reduce anti-social behaviour, as well as improved LED lighting.

The Parking Places Order 2024 consultation closes on November 7. Everyone is encouraged to share their views through an online consultation on the council’s website which details the proposals and asks for feedback.

To take part in the online consultation, please click here. More details of the proposed changes can be found here.