PAPER E

COMMISSION FOR ECONOMY, TOURISM, REGENERATION AND TRANSPORT – 21 SEPTEMBER 2005

AGENDA ITEM : £50 RESIDENTS PARKING PERMIT FOR COUNCIL CAR PARKS (E2/05)

Summary of results from a question put to the membership of the Chamber of Commerce in early 2005 on the subject of introducing annual parking permits.

Question to membership:

‘If it were introduced, would you purchase a yearly £100 all-Island parking permit?’

Response from membership:

Yes	26 responses	35.1%
No	26 responses	35.1%
Possibly	22 responses	29.7%

A split view on this question was highlighted from the response.

This option may seem attractive as representing good value for money.

The Isle of Wight Council, in investigating a preferential rate to the Islands population is seen as a welcome move by the IW Chamber.

The introduction of this idea will depend upon Island residents take up of the proposal to ensure viability.

Extra revenue could be generated from tourist parking rates which could be ploughed back into traffic management and the Islands transport infrastructure.

However from the point of view of encouraging more people onto public transport this option could be seen as problematic as bus fares may seem even less attractive when compared to a yearly £100 flat fee.

In conclusion, there is no easy solution.

Kevin Smith

Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce, Tourism and Industry