Exeter ending free evening parking

Could bring parking revenues to £10 million

Free evening parking in many Exeter car parks is to end.

Currently some car parks only charge between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., but councillors agreed this week to extend evening charges until 10 p.m. in several of them.

At an executive meeting on Tuesday [7 February], councillors also voted to create a new ‘central’ parking zone, which will include all current ‘premium’ car parks and the majority of those currently in zone one.

While standard parking charges won’t increase for 2023, the price of seasonal parking permits will go up significantly, but more city centre car parks will accept permits.

The city council will also start charging 44 pence per kwh at electric vehicle charge points in its car parks. Until now, drivers have been able to charge for free.

Bampfylde Street, King William, Leighton Terrace, Magdalen Road, Magdalen Street, Princesshay 2, Princesshay 3, Smythen Street, Howell Road and the Triangle car will all extend charging hours to 10 p.m.

Car parks at the Guildhall, John Lewis, Mary Arches, Bampfylde Street, King William, Leighton Terrace, Magdalen Road, Magdalen Street, Princesshay 2, Princesshay 3 and Smythen Street will all now be in the most expensive ‘central’ category.

Minor changes will also be made in Topsham, where all council-owned car parks will extend charging for an extra hour in the morning and another each evening, changing from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m to 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Free parking after 6 p.m. on Thursdays will remain at Guildhall, John Lewis and Mary Arches.

“Many of the proposals are to provide some consistency across the city council’s car park estate,” a report to the executive said.

The council estimates the new system will generate a net income of £10 million in the next financial year, which it uses to help fund a number of discretionary services such as the RAMM, parks and green spaces and leisure.

Members of the executive approved the plan unanimously.