With an estimated 15,000 more cars on the Isle of Wight in 2026 than in 2011, the council is looking at whether it has enough parking capacity to support the demand.
The council’s now-approved parking development plan, ideas to generate steady income and keep up with the projected growth have been suggested.
Council-owned car parks have been reviewed for regeneration projects, disposal for developments or the potential of additional spaces.
Car parks in Newport and Ventnor are not considered suitable for additional parking needs but it has been suggested that variable message signs be installed in the towns to advise motorists which car parks have empty spaces.
Those at risk of being disposed of include the Mornington Road car park in Cowes and part of Fort Street in Sandown.
While the Fort Street car park is currently under-utilised and only creates a low income, the council expect it could increase with the potential increase of activity at Dinosaur Isle, so not all of the car park has been earmarked for development.
More spaces could be provided in Cross Street car park, Cowes, where a light-weight deck could be installed to provide multi-storey parking. However, there have been warnings this could be costly.
Consultation with key stakeholders highlighted ways the car parks could improve, including pay as you exit parking, the possibility of the first hour(s) free and measures to encourage people back to the high street following the COVID-19 pandemic.
As an increase to the revenue stream, the Isle of Wight Council proposed in last year’s budget to increase parking charges, something cabinet member for strategic resources, Cllr Stuart Hutchinson, said did not seem to deter people from buying more cars.
Cllr Ian Ward, cabinet member for infrastructure and transport, however, said it was the council’s strategy to reduce car usage, instead of building any more car parks.
With more people working from home, which could potentially stick after the COVID pandemic is over, he felt the strategy may work. Cllr Ward said the plan was a live document that could be adapted to any arising situation.
They don’t need signs to tell motorists where the free spaces are, I can do that now.
Supermarket and big store car parks with FREE spaces – FULL
Council car parks in towns centres charging £2.50 per hour – EMPTY
Surely its down to the councils planning officers .Why do they allow the building of houses with limited parking ,if a house has say 3 bedrooms there should be at least 3 parking spaces. Drivers might be tempted to use the car parks if they were reasonably priced.
DO WHAT THEY DO DOWN GREAT PRESTON ROAD, RYDE,
THEY PARK ON PAVEMENTS OUTSIDE THE COUNCIL HOUSES ALL NIGHT!
(ON THE BEND) BEFORE NICHOLSON ROAD
IF EVERYONE DONE THAT IT WOULD CREAT MORE SPACES!
LOL
They aren’t council houses, they are Housing Association properties. They are entitled to park there as no restrictions are in place. If you are going to SHOUT then atleast get your FACTS straight.
More houses, more cars, no more jobs.
There isn’t going to be an extra 15,000 cars on the road between now and 2026. According to the article, it’s between 2011 and 2026, so it’s fairly reasonable to assume a big portion of that estimated number are already here. Or am I missing something?
Some Households have 3 or more cars plus a work van
Even though only 2 persons live in a property..
They are clogging up the Streets and Roads.
Parking Permits and Parking Meters will deter people from having so many vehicles.
Also so many Diesel Vehicles on the Island “polluting the Island”
The council are polluting the island with all the houses they are having built, destroying plant life isnt a very good thing to do but they really don’t care
It might be an idea to ban large commercial vehicles from parking in residential areas overnight. Companies the size of UPS, for instance, should have their own depot where vehicles are kept. Also, white lines should only be the width of driveways and not the full length of properties, They have mushroomed in our area, and genuinely taken away a lot of parking for everybody else.
there are bound to be 15000 more cars if they keep on building houses for the imaginary local need.
Just a minute, why are they looking between “2011”, ten years ago, and 2026, five years ahead?
Just stop building houses
If public transport was affordable and fit for purpose less people would need cars. As it stands it’s easier to jump in your car, if you cycle it’s taking your life in your hands. So the car parking charges are easy money for the council
If IWC were to apply parking revenue to subsidising bus fares:
a) drivers might be more inclined to pay
and
b) there would be less pressure on parking space.
Not that I would expect logic or integrated thinking from this lot.
And, whatever else they decide, you can be sure that cheaper/free parking for electric vehicles will not last too long.
Yes i bought a low emissions car And the council offered free parking for these types of car. Yea i dont think it lasted long at all. Talking about types of car does everybody who buys these huge Fuel guzzling Tonka toys realy need them? Get far more normal size cars into the car parks if there where less of them Chelsea tractors!!!
The council would then have more spaces available for more cars, so could charge less. FAT CHANCE.
Its confirmed then by the Council themselves, that the strategy they are employing here is to try to price people out of being able afford a car.
In order to control car ownership they will keep increasing parking charges exponentially.
A problem created by them and the government by overpopulating the island, building on everything they can find, driven by money.
Look forwards to an entirely messed up future, brilliant.
we are so obviously overcrowded!