Outrage over Exeter parking charges as some refuse to visit

"It’s as if they want the city to do badly"

While it might not come as a surprise that proposals announced by Exeter City Council (ECC) to once again increase its car parking charges have not been warmly welcomed, what has emerged is an interesting debate about approaches being taken by other councils across the country.

ECC has launched a Parking Places Order 2024 consultation to balance its budget, achieve its projected car park income and help achieve its Net Zero ambitions. From 2022 to 2023 it says it saw a 1.44 per cent reduction in the number of car park tickets sold.

The argument made by many residents and visitors is that the reason far fewer people are parking in the city centre is because of the existing 'outrageous' parking fees imposed by the council. Free evening parking has also been scrapped which has also been blamed for making parking in the city too expensive.

Currently, the shortest time you can stay in an ECC central car park is two hours which will set you back £4.50 - regardless of how long you actually stay - and then rising to £6.70 for four hours. The latest proposed hikes will see the two-hour rate increased by 30p Monday to Saturday, but not Sunday, and the four-hour rate by 40p, but again not on Sunday.

However, a one-hour parking fee of £2 will be introduced Monday to Saturday and £1.80 for a Sunday, but critics have accused the council of 'killing the town' because the prices are putting people off coming to the city centre, particularly in the evening. Some have argued that the council first needs to improve is public transport while others have said it could learn from other councils who have taken a different approach.

Last month, Brighton & Hove City Council announced rates in council-owned car parks would be coming down because usage of them has steadily decreased since 2021 and its average hourly fees were higher than in most other cities. It is introducing one-hour and evening tariffs to support the night-time economy and encourage people into under-used car parks.

After a story about the consultation was posted on DevonLive's Facebook page, readers were quick to highlight their experiences visiting other cities and towns.

David Stanton said: "The more they increase the parking charges, the less people will use the car parks, hence their income will fall. It is hardly rocket science.

"Every time I park elsewhere in East Devon, I am always surprised how cheap the parking is compared to Exeter. I visited Ottery St Mary for the day last week and it was 50p for 30 minutes, with a maximum of £3 for all day."

Another reader shared that at Whitney, near Oxfordshire, parking is free all day stating the town was 'buzzing' and admitting she 'never' goes to Exeter now.

Somerset shopper Tanya Lloyd said: "Taunton is free parking on Sundays so we usually go there. And surprise surprise, the town centre is always busy."

Diane Bennellick added: "On a recent visit to Yorkshire we found £1 all day Saturday in Halifax. I would rather wander around the Piece Hall than Exeter at the moment."

Referring to the new approach being taken in Brighton, Steve Williams said: "So how is it that they have come up with a plan to reduce parking charges in Brighton which will result in more income overall? Parking charges deter people coming to Exeter and spending money!

"No customers for shops and restaurants equals less revenue from business rates. It’s as if they want the city to do badly. How about free buses and proper cycle lanes instead of punishing motorists?"

An Exeter resident who has relocated from the north to Devon said: "I moved from Exeter to Newcastle. If you are shopping in any of the main areas you don't get charged for parking or if you do you get it back with a purchase."

Comparing Exeter to countries abroad, Jane Collins said: "This is so backwards. Spain is free parking on and off street. No stupid bits of paper tickets or apps that decide not to work. Just park your car, spend your money and go home."

Among those who now avoid shopping in Exeter, Mark Chaplin said: "Driving people out the city by increasing parking cost only hurts the city centre businesses I used to go into Exeter on a regular basis from north Devon now I'd much rather buy online and click and collect out of town pickups. It's a lot cheaper and more convenient. Free or cheaper parking helps out the shops."

Questioning the council's logic behind the proposal changes, Claire Salter said: "People are going to other towns and cities where parking is cheaper or public transport is better. ECC is using car parking fees to cover the amount of money they lose through students not paying council tax A 1.44 per cent drop in [car park] ticket sales is a lot of money lost.

"I won’t drive into Exeter to have a meal with friends. We go to places where parking is free. Once the council took away free evening parking the reduction in people going there for a meal dropped and one of the biggest factors was parking fees.

"It’s also cheaper to park in a NCP car park than a council-owned car park."

Strong feelings have also been shared about the need to reduce car usage in Exeter and the council being congratulated for striving to deliver its Net Zero ambitions.

Avid environmental campaigner Caspar Hughes said: "Yay, fewer cars in the city makes for a cleaner safer city which people will enjoy more. Thankfully the local economy isn't nearly as wedded to customers visiting in their cars as people think."

Also in agreement, Forbes Pryde said: "Exeter finally dragging itself into the 21st century. Still probably 20 years behind other bigger cities though but a start at least. Unfortunately, some dinosaurs just don't understand that most people are fed up with being surrounded by pollution from cars while out walking, exercising or having lunch out."

ECC has assured it welcomes all consultation comments that are submitted and has highlighted positive aspects within its proposals. The changes also include increasing the cost of seasonal, residential, and business parking permits, introducing parking charges at sports centre, and creating a temporary car park on the site of the former bus station.

An ECC spokesman said: “We welcome all responses to the consultation. In previous years, due to customer comments being received, original proposals have been amended.

“A number of the proposals have been as a direct response from discussions with InExeter and the Exeter Chamber on how parking can support the city centre economy and business community. Notably:

• Re-introducing 1hr parking for city centre car parks located in Zone 2 – to support parcel pick up and drop off and appointments in the city centre
• Parking fees for a Sunday remain the same – to encourage customers to park in the city on a Sunday, rather than a busy Saturday to reduce congestion into the city centre
• £100,000 of the income achieved from Car Parks to be set aside for maintenance and improvements to city centre car parks – income will be set aside to improve the look and feel of city centre car parks

“There are many other car parks in the city centre that customers can park in, as well as on-street parking. There are also alternative options, as well as Park & Ride and travelling in by bus and train.”

The Parking Places Order 2024 consultation closes on November 7. 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.

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