THE introduction of paid parking has been thrown into doubt. Environment minister Peter Sirett said he could not discuss whether his department would recommend it in a report to the States, but he was not in favour.
‘My personal view is that there are better ways of funding the traffic strategy than paid parking,’ he said.
‘I cannot discuss it further until the Bailiff has seen our report. You will have to wait and see.’
The strategy was intended to be funded, in part, by money raised through the introduction of paid parking in long-stay spaces in Town.
‘The strategy was aimed at reducing the number of cars on the road,’ he said. ‘What we have done to date has been funded by our department budget.’
He would not detail which alternative method of fund-raising he would like to see introduced.
‘I won’t specify, but anyone can come up with a way of raising money,’ he said.
Environment expected to introduce paid parking in Town by the end of 2007.
It has to report back on extending the system to long-term spaces out of St Peter Port after the States rejected its proposal to limit it to the capital.
Last time the department reported on paid parking, an attempt was made by Deputy Al Brouard to scrap it, which was defeated narrowly.
Further uncertainty about its introduction has been created by the fact that there are several new States members who have stated their opposition to such a system.
Article posted on 17th September, 2008 - 2.30pm
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