Shopping arcade visitors down 60 percent (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Shopping arcade visitors down 60 percent

INCREASED parking charges are being blamed for a huge reduction in the number people using Cirencester's main shopping centre.

And we can also reveal that Cotswold District Council's ruling Tories hit shoppers with a double whammy when they introduced the tariffs without consultation last April.

For not only did the charges more than double in most cases, the council tightened the noose further by hiring an extra parking attendant - generating more than £50,000 extra through fines.

David Allberry, who manages the Bishop's Walk shopping centre, has written to CDC complaining that the number of people passing through the facility every week has dropped from 30,000 in 2001 to 12,000 now.

In his letter he says: "There could be many reasons but the overall mood in the town is that the blame can be placed on the parking regime introduced in April 2004.

"It is interesting to note, by way of contrast, how buoyant Stroud town centre has become, having been in the doldrums for years. This is, it is felt, due in no small measure to the enlightened parking policy in place there."

Businesses in Cirencester have blamed the parking charges for falling trade and locals say the new tariffs have also led to congestion in residential streets.

However, although the Tories finally admitted there was a problem in neighbouring Tetbury and reduced the prices, they say council figures show Cirencester car parks are doing well and, with the exception of adding a two-hour slot, they are standing firm.

Cirencester Chamber of Commerce president Mark Harris said he was concerned with the Bishop's Walk figures and questioned the motives behind the increase in parking fines.

In addition to an extra attendant the council increased the fine by £5, collecting £146,129 in fines in 2004/5 compared with £91,537 in 2003/4.

Mr Harris said: "As far as the increase in fines is concerned, it appears rather cynical.

"People could previously only park for one hour when they needed to stay for two.

"It would be interesting to see how much motorists overspent on tickets too."

Despite the criticism, however, CDC's cabinet portfolio holder responsible for car parking, Lynden Stowe, refuted allegations of cynicism and he said the council would listen to any businesses that could prove their takings were down as a result of car parking.

He said: "The intention in taking on another attendant was to ensure our car parks are properly managed and that people who use them pay the correct amounts.

"It's also to ensure people park in the right spaces. It's not just about ticketing people, it's about ensuring people stick to the rules."

While in relation to Bishop's Walk, he added: "There doesn't seem to be a robust system of comparison in place. If they've got the figures over the last four years, I'd be interested in looking at them.

"We have to look at the general picture."