26 January 2006

Pay and display on the way

Pay and display parking will be introduced in some Grafton, Newmarket and Parnell streets, with the first meters being installed next week.

The decision to introduce paid parking is a first step towards addressing growing parking pressure in these suburbs, and follows pay and display initiatives introduced in Parnell last year.

"The area surrounding the Auckland Domain is vital for people accessing Auckland's premier park and its events. It's also crucial for people visiting the hospital and local businesses in Grafton, Newmarket and Parnell," says Councillor Richard Simpson, chairperson of Auckland City's Transport and Urban Linkages Committee.

"We'd like to see this area evolve from being a 'commuter car park' - to enable more people to access this special part of the city.

"These are some of the oldest suburbs in the city. As Auckland grows and matures, we need to ensure areas remain accessible to all people.

"Newmarket is one of Auckland's main transport centres. People working in the area have good transport choices. As a council, our priority is not to provide on-street parking for commuters, particularly in the inner-city suburbs.

"Our priority is better access to this area during the week - for residents, businesses and visitors. Paid parking applies during weekday business hours. This initiative is not about cars - it's about people," says Mr Simpson.

Generally, paid parking will apply in heavily occupied areas where there is already time-restricted parking and, where possible, in more commercial parts of the street.

"Pay and display parking is proven to increase parking turnover and doesn't rely on ratepayer funding, which is particularly relevant in an area used by people from all over the region," says Mr Simpson.

"We are aiming for a better mix of parking in the area - a mix that better meets the needs of the wider community.

"Parking time restrictions have been set to fit each particular street. Angle parking is also being introduced on Carlton Gore Road, to provide more car parking spaces in this growing business area," says Mr Simpson.

Parking time restrictions will be for either one or two hours (P60 and P120). Charges are set at $2 per hour, Monday to Friday between 8am and 6pm.

Auckland City's Transport and Urban Linkages Committee agreed to introduce pay and display parking around the Auckland Domain at its meeting in September 2005.

ENDS