Do the current car parking arrangements encourage residents, businesses and tourists into the city centre – or put them off? It’s been a topic of debate in Lancaster for some time.

City councillors have discussed the issue at many council meetings and budgets in recent years, especially fees paid by motorists, time options and the amount of parking available, as land is earmarked for redevelopment.

In March, councillors will decide if any parking changes are needed for the next 12 months.

Labour and Conservatives have questioned some decisions, such as plans for homes on the council’s former Nelson Street Car Park.

Do car park arrangements encourage residents, businesses and tourists into the city centre – or put them off?

placeholder image — Do car park arrangements encourage residents, businesses and tourists into the city centre – or put them off?

But ruling Greens say there is enough space elsewhere, some car parks are underused and other work on junctions, traffic flow, public transport and pedestrian areas will improve the city.

Before that decision is made, the Local Democracy Reporting Service asked people in Lancaster their views as the city council prepares to set its new budget.

Adrian Hall runs a dry cleaning business in Scotforth. He said: “Generally, I manage to find parking space when I go into Lancaster city centre although the period before Christmas can be difficult.

“But the range of time slots available in Lancaster are not great. There are some 30-minute short-stay options but it’s a bit limited.

"I’m often forced to pay more money for longer periods of time that I don’t actually need. If you’ve got an appointment in the city centre, it’s sometimes difficult to know how much time you need. More shorter-stay options would be good.

“Morecambe seems to be better. There are more shorter-stay options there, if you’re nipping to the shops or going along the seafront.

“I’d also like to see a bit of free parking to promote Lancaster city centre. Here in Scotforth, customers coming to this business can park for free and fairly easily to drop off heavy bags. It’s convenient.

"We prosper here because the parking situation for customers is OK. It’d be different for us in the city centre, where traffic is more congested and parking is different. ”

Sharon and Chav Fleming were visiting from Kendal.

Sharon said: “We come to Lancaster quite regularly for half-days. Parking here is pretty reasonable. It’s a lot cheaper than Kendal, where there’s hardly any parking. We live in a Kendal residential area and it costs £9.50 to park for a few hours in a local car park – and that’s the cheapest.”

Chav added: “We have a friend who runs a pub here in Lancaster and we also have hospital visits. We think Lancaster is OK. Parking here is accessible and reasonable, and the prices in shops and pubs are generally better than in Kendal, which is really expensive and very much aimed at tourists.”

Sarah Robinson, from Glasson Dock, works in a petrol station convenience store. She said: “There is less car parking space in Lancaster now and it’s very expensive. Housing is set for the Nelson Street Car Park site and there are a lot of student flats being built on land around the city centre. There are a lot of changes.

“There are very few short-stay options and the parking prices just shoot up.

"Also, traffic can be very slow at some points and access can be tricky. I don’t go into Lancaster as often because of all this. They should look at changing the traffic system and junctions, with more two-way routes. The situation puts people off going to Lancaster to shop.”

Ant and Shez Hobson had travelled from West Yorkshire.

Ant said: “This is our first time in Lancaster. We’re visiting a few towns and villages in this region, including Kirkby Lonsdale. It’s nice to see a different part of the country. Car parking in Lancaster seems fine although there are quite a lot of road works. Our car’s parked at the St Nic’s shopping centre.”

Shez added: “Parking here is much cheaper than in Leeds, where it’s £10 for three hours. In Lancaster, it’s cost us £4.40 for three hours, which seems OK.”

University student Rory Hall said: “My dad works in Lancaster city centre and seems to find parking space OK. I live in the centre of Lancaster and I think the roll-out of parking permits on some streets over the years has impacted on overall parking space too. But there’s still the odd place where you can park for free.”