Town centre facility’s 34 spaces become available to town centre shoppers and visitors on short stay, pay and display basis

Some 34 extra town centre parking spaces will be made available to Sidmouth shoppers on Monday (March 21).

Mill Street car park will become ‘public’ and operate on a pay-and-display basis, following a review by its owner East Devon District Council.

Short stay parking spaces will be available for £1-per-hour, for the first two hours, and £3 for four hours - a tariff that has not been increased for the sixth consecutive year.

Cash customers will be able to pay using a pay and display machine, which is already in place and the council anticipates it being fully commissioned for use by Wednesday, March 23.

In the meantime, car park users will be able to pay by phone [Parkmobile] or display a valid car parking permit. However, EDDC says motorists should check the terms and conditions of their permit before using the car park.

Previously, the car park was run exclusively for the benefit of customers who paid to reserve a parking space for their own use. However, following a price review in 2014, the level of demand dropped and, after a further review in 2015, councillors agreed to operate the unused reserved parking spaces as a public car park instead.

The Mill Street car park tariff is the same as nearby Ham and Roxburgh car parks and charging applies every day from 8am to 6pm.

Councillor Iain Chubb, EDDC’s portfolio holder for environment said: “We know that parking in Sidmouth town centre is at a premium and, by adding these 34 extra short-stay parking spaces to the 351 short-stay spaces already on offer in the Ham and Roxburgh, we are demonstrating our continuing support for businesses operating in the town centre.”

EDDC chairman, Cllr Stuart Hughes, added: “For visitors and residents needing longer term off-street parking arrangements, we will continue to offer over 300 long-stay spaces in our Manor Road car park for a maximum charge of £6 for 24 hours and £25 for a whole week.”

Speaking on behalf of Sidmouth Town ward members, Cllr Matt Booth said: “Parking in the town centre is at a premium and the introduction of a pay and display at Mill Street on a comparable low pricing rate should be welcomed and will, one hopes, provide a positive benefit to small businesses and all residents.”

There is just one reserved parking space still available in the Mill Street car park at a cost of £1,500, plus VAT, per year. Anyone interested in leasing this space should email: carparks@eastdevon.gov.uk or telephone 01395 571780.