EXTRA car parking spaces will be created in the town centre as part of new measures designed to support Malvern’s economy.
Councillors from Malvern Hills District Council’s executive committee gave the proposals the green light at a meeting last Tuesday.
Changes being introduced include making the Council House car park on Avenue Road open to the public 24/7, instead of just after 7.30pm as it currently stands.
As part of the arrangement, Brunel House will no longer be available as a public car park.
However, the changes overall will mean 33 additional spaces will be available to visitors and shoppers.
On top of that another ten spaces are being made available in Priory Road South through redesign of the layout.
The £1.50 evening charge will also begin two hours earlier, starting at 4pm and running until 8am the next morning to help support the night-time economy.
It currently runs from 6pm to midnight.
The option to pay for just one hour’s parking in all of the council’s long stay car parks will also be removed.
Changes to the Council House car park are to set to be introduced next Monday with changes in the remaining car parks affected introduced from Friday, November 6.
Coun Bronwen Behan, portfolio holder for environment on Malvern Hills District Council, said: “I’m delighted that we’ve not only been able to keep parking charges on hold but increase the number of spaces available and provide a more attractive pricing offer to make it easier for people visiting our towns for a night out.
“Not only will this help support our local economy but it represents a good deal for the council taxpayer as well.”
District councillors had already backed a recommendation there was no case to increase parking charges at a meeting in June, meaning the Malvern Hills would continue to offer the lowest parking prices in Worcestershire.
Executive committee members also supported lobbying Worcestershire County Council for improvements to disabled and coach parking and on-street parking regulations in Great Malvern to make them easier to understand.
As well as supporting Malvern’s economy, it is hoped the changes will help generate an extra £70,000 a year for the council to support efforts to fill a £1.45million gap in its budget by 2021/2022 as a result of government funding cuts.
Plans to make New Street Car Park in Upton a short stay car park and explore the use of controls at Malvern Vale Community Centre Car Park to stop unauthorised use were not put forward for approval.
This followed feedback from the public during a 12 week consultation.
