Agenda item

To provide information on the performance data of Council-owned and managed car parks, and on-street parking, both with regards to patronage and income in the full year ending 2022-23, and in the current year, April to August, with comparisons to previous years.

Mr Philip Welsh, Head of Tourism and Communications, presented the Annual Parking Performance report. The report outlined the performance of the parking service during 2022-2023 and details of performance between April and August 2023. Mr Welsh explained that the levels of patronage and income had been affected by the ongoing regeneration projects in Blackpool that had seen some car parks closed for part of the year. This had caused an improvement in levels of patronage in other car parks within Blackpool, which had meant there had not been a significant reduction in overall numbers during 2022-2023. Between April and August 2023 visitor numbers had risen up to the summer period but had then dropped as the result of the poor weather experienced. However the Air Show and Firework World Championship held in August had assisted in the recovery of patronage towards the end of the period.

Parking Services was also reported as continuing to invest in new infrastructure in car parks. This included ensuring that ticket machines were prepared for Vodafone’s switch off of its 3G network. While Mr Welsh confirmed that patrons of car parks would be able to pay in cash, card or phone, he explained that Parking Services had sought to encourage the use of the parking app. The app made parking easier and would mean that less cash was being held in machines, making them less vulnerable to instances of crime. The app also contained a list of Council owned car parks and enabled payment for parking remotely if necessary.

The Committee discussed the possibility of using Council car parks to encourage the use of  trains from Blackpool. The possibility of a discounted commuter parking permit for those parking to use trains for travelling to work was raised. This had been considered by officers previously and Mr Welsh noted that parking permits for residents and businesses were already available and could be utilised by commuters.

Mr Alan Cavill, Director of Communication and Regeneration also highlighted the challenge of identifying who was and was not a commuter. He added that the Council’s wholly-owned company, Blackpool Transport Services Limited (BTS), had held discussions with the train operator, Northern, to discuss the introduction of single tickets for bus and train journeys. If this work went ahead he advised that the data gained would allow greater understanding of those commuting to and from Blackpool that could support the development of a commuter permit.

The Committee therefore asked that detail of this work and the possibility of creating a commuter parking permit be included in the next Parking Services Annual Report.

The limited Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Infrastructure within Blackpool’s car parks was also discussed. Members highlighted recent Government announcements postponing the ending of petrol and diesel vehicles sales from 2030 to 2035. Mr Scott Butterfield, Strategy and Climate Lead responded to advise that although the national target had been changed, the zero emission vehicle mandate committing car manufacturers to increasing sales of Battery Electric Vehicles had also been confirmed, and Blackpool’s target for net zero remained 2030. With respect of EV charging points, additional points had been planned in the short term as part of ongoing regeneration work and through the use of Local Transport Plan funding.

Mr Welsh also explained that the option of EV charging points made Blackpool more attractive to visitors. The Committee suggested that work could be undertaken therefore with large attractions within Blackpool that operated their own car parks regarding the installation of EV infrastructure. The potential for the development of an app to locate charging points, book and pre-pay for their use was raised. Although it was recognised that the EV market remained small and that significant challenges existed in developing such an app, such as development time and cost, the Committee asked that the possibility of introducing an app in partnership with large attractions in Blackpool be considered and further details be included in the 2023-2024 annual report.

The Committee agreed:

1.         That the report be noted; and

2.         That the Parking Services Annual report 2023-2024 include the following details;

•        Consideration of adopting a commuter pass for residents to park at Blackpool Train Stations.

•        To explore how existing Apps can be used to improve the EV user experience for visitors.

•        The role of major attractions’ car parks in relation to the promotion of EV Charging.

3.         That an update on the work to potentially introduce a single tickets for bus and train journeys be provided to the Committee in due course.