RESIDENTS could soon have to stump up cash to park outside their home under proposals up for consideration.
A consultation on a range of new parking measures is set to start in the new year as Warrington Borough Council tries to find money to fund its parking services.
They include new ways of tackling parking enforcement with the likes of controversial mobile CCTV cameras and charging permit holders in parking residential zones such as the town centre and around the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
Clr Linda Dirir (LAB - Penketh and Cuerdley), executive board member for highways, transportation and climate change, said: “We have a £243,000 deficit this year for parking.
“It’s the recommendation that parking services as a whole should operate at a break even level.
“Some of the issues which were recommended for consultation are the introduction of charges for on street parking for funding and to help ensure a turnover of spaces and to enforce bus lanes.”
A task group of councillors has selected a variety of options for the council to help it reach its aim of at least fully funding council parking.
If on-road parking charges were brought in though the first period of parking, although not stipulated how long, would be offered free of charge.
The council would also have to apply for powers to enforce any unlawful use of bus lanes before being allowed to set up cameras to catch drivers out.
Clr Dirir added that if all the proposals were in place the council would make a £44,000 profit this year.
Clr David Keane (LAB - Penketh and Cuerdley) added: “We offer good parking facilities that are safe for us all and we have good availability to park. It’s also a reasonable arrangement that it should not be subsidised by all motorists and council taxpayers.”
The council is also looking at whether to outsource its parking services, bring it in house or continue to run it jointly between a private company and the authority.
