Scarborough's new year-long parking tariffs trial to begin this month

Scarborough Council is to add the option to allow people to pay to park for up to five and eight hours in order to encourage visitors to stay in the town longer.

The trial will be carried out in the Eastborough, Marine Drive, Quay Street, West Pier, South Bay Underground and the Spa Drive and Forecourt car parks, all of which are located in Scarborough.

Previously patrons only had the option to pay to stay for one, three, six or 24 hours.

The new tariffs will be charged at £6 for five hours and £8 for eight hours.

Scarborough Council has now confirmed that the new tarrifs will come into use on May 26.

Approval for the trial was granted by the council’s cabinet member for Neighbourhoods, Cllr Tony Randerson last month.

A report prepared for Cllr Randerso stated that the added options for motorists had been requested by traders.

It said: “Discussions have taken place with representatives of the South Bay Traders who raised their concerns around the lack of tariffs.

“As a result the changes, which are proposed, will offer the choice to the motorist that they believe will encourage people to stay longer into the evening.”

The report adds: “Through recent discussions with local businesses, it has been suggested that patrons of the local car parks have queried the lack of choice in relation to the durations of stay available and the associated tariffs on offer.

“An example provided is that visitors arriving mid-morning are reluctant to purchase a 24-hour ticket.

“It has been suggested that such visitors are more likely to purchase a six-hour ticket, thereby leaving prior to the end of the parking charge period.

“The option of an eight-hour ticket would allow visitors to stay later into the evening (beyond the end of the daily charging period) without purchasing a 24 hour ticket. This could result in benefits to the evening economy with visitors staying longer as opposed to leaving mid-afternoon.”

The shorter five-hour tariff was also added to the trial following feedback.