Sand Street Car Park: 'Free from Three Thursdays' Parking Initative: 1 August

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A decision made 26 July 2013:

Decision Reference: MD-T-2013-0068
Decision Summary Title :	Road Traffic (Public Parking Places) (Jersey) Order 2006		Date of Decision Summary:	22 July 2013
Decision Summary Author:	Assistant Manager Parking Control		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	N/A
Written Report Title :	Road Traffic (Public Parking Places) (Jersey) Order 2006		Date of Written Report:	22 July 2013
Written Report Author:	Assistant Manager Parking Control		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: Jersey Car Parks – introduction of “Free from Three Thursdays” parking initiative from 01 August 2013 for nine consecutive Thursdays in Sand Street Car Park
Decision(s): The Minister approved the “Free from Three on Thursday” parking initiative from 01 August 2013 until 26 September 2013 in Sand Street Car Park
Reason(s) for Decision: The introduction of the “Free from Three Thursday” parking in Sand Street Car Park for nine consecutive Thursdays from 01 August 2013 will support the late opening initiative and may assist local businesses within St Helier.
Resource Implications: Transport and Technical Services signage £150, JEP Gazette insert £100. Loss of revenue to be calculated as trial proceeds.
Action Required: Officers to produce and place the appropriate advance notice signage and to advise the public using the local media.
Signature:		Position:
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

Road Traffic (Public Parking Places) (Jersey) Order 2006: Sand Street Car Park: 'Free from Three Thursdays' Parking Initative: 1 August - 26 September 2013

TRANSPORT AND TECHNICAL SERVICES

INTRODUCTION OF FREE PARKING AFTER 3PM IN SAND STREET CAR PARK

ON THURSDAYS FROM 01 AUGUST 2013 FOR NINE CONSECUTIVE

THURSDAYS

Purpose of the Report

To introduce a trial of a “Free from Three on Thursdays” scheme in Sand Street Car Park to run from 01 August 2013 for nine consecutive Thursdays.

Background

Jersey retailers who have premises within St Helier have reported a downturn in trade as a result of the current economic uncertainty which exists. A number of suggestions to try and encourage the local population to use these businesses have been made.

The latest initiative of introducing “free from three on Thursdays” in Sand Street Car Park for a period will coincide with and support a separate initiative from a number of Town Retailers who are proposing to open until 7pm on Thursdays. Retailers trading from Liberty Wharf are also opening until 7pm on Thursdays so this initiative would also support them.

Sand Street Car Park is the closest shopper’s car park to the main precinct area and data collected by Parking Control on occupancy indicates there is sufficient capacity to meet any increased demand.

Using the current occupancy data collected by Parking Control, the expected loss of revenue will be £438 each Thursday, so for the 9 week period a total loss of revenue to the Car Park Trading Fund is estimated to be £3,942.00.

It is hoped that by the introduction of this initiative, footfall in St Helier will increase during the late opening periods and that smaller retailers will be encouraged to participate.

It is proposed to commence the trial on Thursday 01 August 2013 and this would run for nine consecutive Thursdays until 26 September 2013.

The temporary changes can be introduced under Article 68 of the Road Traffic (Jersey) Law 1956 by the placing of appropriate signage. The Road Traffic (Public Parking Places) (Jersey) Order 2006 is created under Article 59 of the Road Traffic (Jersey) Law 1956.

The Road Traffic (Public Parking Places) (Jersey) Order 2006 is administered by the Transport and Technical Services Department.

Discussion

The Town Centre Manager believes the introduction of this initiative will support the Town Retailers who are participating in the late opening and may increase shopper activity in town.

Recommendations

The Minister is recommended to approve the introduction of the “free from three Thursdays” parking initiative for nine consecutive Thursdays to commence on Thursday 01 August 2013 and to instruct Officers to produce the necessary signage and to advise the public using local media and to place the statutory Gazette inserts.

Reason(s) for Decision

The introduction of the “free from three Thursdays” parking in Sand Street Car Park for nine consecutive Thursdays from 01 August 2013 will support the late opening initiative and may assist local businesses within St Helier.

Resource implication

Signage £150, JEP insert £100, loss of revenue to the Car Parks Trading Fund to be calculated as trial proceeds.

Action Required

Officers to produce and place the appropriate advance notice signage and to advise the public using the local media.

Written by: Assistant Manager Parking Control

Approved by: Director of Transport