Imposing minimum parking charges at retail centres and daily minimum rates for car parks in urban centres

J. Nix¹ and A. McKenna²

1. Co-ordinator of PlanBetter, a joint policy initiative of An Taisce, Friends of the Earth, Friends of the Irish Environment and FEASTA, the foundation for the economics of sustainability; email: jam...@ien.ie
2. Policy Analyst and Researcher; email: adel...@hotmail.com

Abstract

Government policy introduced in February 2009 placed a restriction on the development of out-of-town retail centres; a review of decision-making at planning appeal level shows that this policy is being implemented. Government policy introduced at the same time directed that parking charges should be imposed at retail centres where it is currently free to park. However, this policy is not being implemented and legislation to mandate such charges has not been introduced. The analysis in this paper offers some guidance with regard to such legislation. It also treats the emerging problem of ultra-low daily parking rates offered in urban centres, and suggests that this issue also requires legislative attention.

Keywords: Parking, charges, Smarter Travel

Download Document: 2010_ITRN_parking_paper_JN_2