Parking in Newbury Town Centre, ...pricing workers out? Options

[JeffG]

Glad you agree with me. My preferred shopping takes place either in the supermarket or the retail park (or more usually, on line).

[Andy Capp]

Glad you agree with me. My preferred shopping takes place either in the supermarket or the retail park (or more usually, on line).

Ditto. The town as a shopping experience has become an anachronism. At least these days I don't have to bother even going to Reading or Basingstoke for those special things that Newbury couldn't cater for. If I shop in town, that means I have screwed-up some where.

[NWNREADER]

Ditto. The town as a shopping experience has become an anachronism. At least these days I don't have to bother even going to Reading or Basingstoke for those special things that Newbury couldn't cater for. If I shop in town, that means I have screwed-up some where.

I was in another town recently and noticed how few 'High Street' names there were, apart from banks etc. Nearly all 'local' shops, and doing well. Newbury has lost its way, I think...

As to the cost of parking... Is it for the Council to provide parking for employees? Just a thought... Maybe that is something the employer should take more responsibility for?

[Bofem]

There are not enough unemployed in Newbury to fill up the jobs in Parkway, so most will come from Wantage/Andover/Didcot which means a car. Parking permits, petrol prices means it's proving difficult to attract these people. All this was discussed on the other forum in 2005-6, but nobody listened.

[wabbit]

I've just found the answer to my original post - on 'the other forum' and the answer is that Parkway parking will be even more expensive than WBC car parks. Great

Although I know we should welcome this as it means more revenue for WBC, I don't believe £1 an hour is sensible pricing givn the dire state of the retail sector. Maybe some 'initiatives' should be considered to stimulate trade?

[Andy Capp]

I've just found the answer to my original post - on 'the other forum' and the answer is that Parkway parking will be even more expensive than WBC car parks. Great

Although I know we should welcome this as it means more revenue for WBC, I don't believe £1 an hour is sensible pricing givn the dire state of the retail sector. Maybe some 'initiatives' should be considered to stimulate trade?

I don't think it will mean more money for the council. The car park is private.

[wabbit]

I don't think it will mean more money for the council. The car park is private.

Er..yes, exactly. If (privately owned) Parkway is more expensive - people will use WBC car parks, hence more money in their coffers. That was my point

[Andy Capp]

Er..yes, exactly. If (privately owned) Parkway is more expensive - people will use WBC car parks, hence more money in their coffers. That was my point

As there is currently no parking there, we might see a drop in parking revenue when it opens.

[wabbit]

UPDATE

Have just read on the 'other forum' (you know, the one xjay hasn't heard of! ) that the parking charge for Parkway will be £1.50 per hour.

Unbelievable.

[Guest_xjay1337_*]

I really have no idea what the forum was until I purposefully went looking for it. I haven't signed up to it. :|

[Richard Garvie]

What about Sunday charging?

[blackdog]

Er..yes, exactly. If (privately owned) Parkway is more expensive - people will use WBC car parks, hence more money in their coffers. That was my point

Yes - but.

WBC is relying on the revenue from Parkway parking - they get a £300,000 a year share. If Parkway fails to attact enough parkers because of the lower price in WBC and other privately owned car parks in town there will be pressure on WBC to raise their prices.

[blackdog]

http://www.shopatparkway.com/customer-services/car-parking

[Guest_xjay1337_*]

Based on that link, I could park there for 3 days straight and only pay £12 if I "lose" my ticket.

Win.

[blackdog]

Based on that link, I could park there for 3 days straight and only pay £12 if I "lose" my ticket.

Win.

It would be cheaper to park in the Northbrook St multi-storey - £10 for 'over 8 hours'. And you don't need to 'lose' your ticket.
http://www.westberks.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=20642

[JeffG]

I noticed that on the new road signs showing the number of parking spaces available in the various car parks, that while the Kennet Centre and the Wharf have their own count, Northcroft and Park Way are lumped together. So how is that going to work?

[blackdog]

I noticed that on the new road signs showing the number of parking spaces available in the various car parks, that while the Kennet Centre and the Wharf have their own count, Northcroft and Park Way are lumped together. So how is that going to work?

I haven't paid much attention to the new signs yet - is this a sign that would lead people towards Parkway and Northcroft (eg on the Robin Hood gyratory) showing the amount of parking available in both? If so it could lead towards another sign (eg on London Rd by the Travelodge) that would show Parkway and Northcroft separately. Effectively the first sign would be saying x spaces this way, the second being more precise.

[dannyboy]

I haven't paid much attention to the new signs yet - is this a sign that would lead people towards Parkway and Northcroft (eg on the Robin Hood gyratory) showing the amount of parking available in both? If so it could lead towards another sign (eg on London Rd by the Travelodge) that would show Parkway and Northcroft separately. Effectively the first sign would be saying x spaces this way, the second being more precise.

I have a feeling the signs to the S of town favour Kennet / Wharf, those the N PW & Northbrook st.

[spartacus]

I haven't paid much attention to the new signs yet - is this a sign that would lead people towards Parkway and Northcroft (eg on the Robin Hood gyratory) showing the amount of parking available in both? If so it could lead towards another sign (eg on London Rd by the Travelodge) that would show Parkway and Northcroft separately. Effectively the first sign would be saying x spaces this way, the second being more precise.

What he said....

[JeffG]

(Argh - I just accidentally pressed Ctrl/W which closed the window I was typing in without warning, so here we go again...)

You are right, I guess, though that's not going to help anyone approaching from the south planning to park in Northcroft multi-storey if there are no further signs en route. I did notice they were busy erecting another sign on the Sainsbury's roundabout this afternoon, but that's not going to be visible from the south. It would be interesting to hear the locations of signs that people have spotted so far.