New car parking charges in Buckingham

24 August 2010, 06:00

New parking charges have been introduced in Buckingham.

From this week Cornwalls Meadow and Western Avenue have become pay-and-display car parks.

In Cornwalls Meadow you'll still be able to park for free for the first hour you're there, but after that it'll be 30p for two hours, 50p for three hours, £1 for four hours and £1.50 for five hours. More than half of the long-stay spaces there are being changed to short stay bays - after requests from local retailers.

At Western Avenue long-stay car park, it'll cost £2.50 to park for the day.

The charges are fixed until March 2012 and will apply between 8.30am and 5pm, Monday to Saturday - meaning it's free in the evenings, on Sundays and on public holidays.

Consultation about improving the provision of car parking in Buckingham has taken place with the town council and the local traders association, who both think there's a need for more car parking spaces in the town. Traders are also keen to have more short-stay spaces so there's a higher turnover of visitors to the town.

Councillor Kevin McPartland - who's in charge of car parking in Aylesbury Vale - told Heart:

"As far as the traders are concerned and the businesses are concerned, these are not huge charges. We haven't introduced great big tariffs. But most importantly, the effect of the charges will manage the facility in a better way."

"Free parking is a rarity and I think, as far as Buckingham is concerned, we are providing a free facility because there is one free hour parking [at Cornwalls Meadow] and 30 pence for two hours isn't extortionate is it?"

A new 40-space, long-stay car park at Stratford Fields is due to open shortly. It is part of a package of parking improvements being funded by Aylesbury Vale District Council.

The money raised from the car parking will be used to pay for other services in Aylesbury Vale.