Free parking for an hour in the heart of the Isle of Wight’s county town will continue into the New Year.
The parking pilot – which allows shoppers to park in 3 car parks in Newport – was initially started in May 2022 as a 6-month trial but has been continuously extended due to its success.
It will now continue until February 2024 with the backing of Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council, which will stump up more than £16,000 to keep it going.
Councillor Matt Price said the community council must continue to support the pilot as it was difficult to put into figures how much local businesses benefitted from the free hour of parking. While he supported the pilot, a much wider look at parking inequalities around the Island was needed, he said.
Councillors agreed and highlighted other parts of the Island which have more on-street free parking than others, which does not affect town centres or high streets.
Cllr Price said Newport had long been a cash cow for the Isle of Wight Council as it brought in 77% of the parking income across the whole Island, despite not having a major tourist attraction or beach.
Questions were asked about what would happen after February.
Councillor Julie Jones-Evans, the cabinet member for regeneration, said they were looking at another deal to come into place after February which was cost neutral.
While the community council contributes financially to the parking scheme, the Isle of Wight Council also has to find money to cover its lost income.
Some Councillors were calling for a stronger evidence base to see how much the free parking pilot really delivered in economic benefits.
To take advantage of the free parking, shoppers can park in Lugley Street, Sea Street and Chapel Street car parks. A free ticket is needed from the machine or it can be done via the parking app, PayByPhone.
Wow giving away so much, I can get 90 free parking at Lidl,120mins at Morrison and 180mins at Cineworld or as long as like at Asda.
Hey, high five! I too like to spend my time with friends at Lidl!
I didn’t even realise this was a thing!! Not very well advertised
You will need an hour to find A shop thats open unless it’s a charity or coffee shop .. Newport is being killed by the useless IWC .
it’s not being killed it is killed
Abolish overnight parking fees.
Why should we have to pay after 6pm to park along
Seafromts in the winter months?????
Thieving B’stards
Is that so you can walk past all the empty shops Newport is just a dump now i do my shopping on line so don’t need a free car park thanks
Generous to a fault !!!!!
Don’t forget you won’t lose any money because all the other car parks have gone up in price !!!!
Overnight parking £2 ??????
Went to Medina theatre , omg trying to pay was the biggest joke ever ! Unless you are a giraffe you can’t even see the sign properly, then the number doesn’t work then they give a message with the new no ????
Hold phone find pen rummage for paper ???? No chance
….
So many of us all having same problems…..
And then 1hr free parking in a deserted town ….cheers…