THE introduction of paid parking for 30 spaces at Beau Sejour will help reduce the burden on the taxpayer, according to a senior politician.
The Culture & Leisure Department is offering 30 spaces at the L’Hyvreuse end of Beau Sejour, on the south west tip, for rent at a cost of £100 per month.
The adjoining rough surface car park, at the back of the softball pitch, will be grassed over and revert to parkland.
Culture and Leisure minister Deputy Mike O’Hara (pictured) said the area was used mostly by commuters and that his department could no longer justify using taxpayers’ money to maintain it. All departments had been asked to look at their finances following the Fundamental Spending Review.
‘Any money that is raised beyond maintenance costs will be used to help with the running costs of Beau Sejour,’ he said.
‘The Treasury has made a noticeable cut in its budget and we are looking at ways of maintaining the services we already provide. It’s not something we’re happy about doing but we think it makes sense.’
He believed some residents would welcome the idea of being able to rent parking spaces. Four enquiries had been made on the day the plan was announced.
Having a dedicated parking place could increase the value of a property, he said.
‘The area behind the softball diamond was not really a car park and many tree roots were being exposed by people driving on the banks. The people who park there are nearly all commuters and we hope that by doing this it will take pressure off the main car park, which residents do use.’
Guernsey Softball Association president Curt Taylor said the department had contacted them last year about its plans to grass over the area behind the diamond.
‘I was disappointed at first but I’m not really bothered now,’ he said.
‘It will be an inconvenience but we can still use the main car park and it just means people will have to carry things further.
‘We go there to do sport for a couple of hours so another two minutes’ walking shouldn’t be a problem.’
The Duke of Richmond Hotel rents five spaces in the area opposite from the St Peter Port parish.
‘I think it will be more difficult for us in the summer,’ said the hotel’s general manager, Stephen Purtill.
‘Sometimes guests can park in the road but when they can’t we suggest they go there and use it as an overfill, so it will make life harder.’
Deputy O’Hara said his department had written to people in the area telling them of its plans. He believed the issue of paid parking in other parts of the Town could be raised again in the States before too long.
‘There are few States meetings when there are not comments about having paid parking,’ he said. ‘I suspect it will come up for debate again soon and that some members will look at it in a more favourable light this time, given the financial situation.’SOME neighbours in the Beau Sejour area said they would be worse off when the plans were implemented.
Emma and Michael Blazina have lived at the top of Fosse Andre for 18 months. Mrs Blazina, 29, said they had thought about renting a parking space but understood it would cost £3 per day.
She believed residents used the car park in question more than commuters as she recognised about 80% of the vehicles.
‘I drove my husband to his work in Town today because he hurt his leg playing football and when I got back there was nowhere to park,’ she said. ‘I ended up having to go into Town for an hour.
‘The builders across the road think it’s hysterical when they see me driving around and around the block.’
Doris Lane, 87, has lived near the car park for 50 years, She doesn’t have a car.
‘What gets to me the most is that I’m often on my own because people don’t come to see me because there’s nowhere to park,’ she said.
‘When it snowed I couldn’t go out so my granddaughter brought some things to me. She parked up the road for 20 minutes, someone complained, the police came and she had to pay a £30 parking ticket. I was disgusted. I can’t even get anyone to clean my windows because they can’t park in the road and half the people who do park don’t even live around here.’
Mariner Craig Masterman, 39, who lives in Coronation Road, said he did not see how Culture and Leisure could ask people to pay for something that they were already subsidising through their income tax [Beau Sejour].
‘I drove my son to school today and I was driving around for 20 minutes trying to park when I got back. It gets worse all the time and a lot of commuters park in the road.’
Shirley Ann Parker, 29, lives in Rouge Huis Avenue.
‘If there’s no space in front of my house I have to look in other areas,’ she said.
‘That can be very difficult with a baby daughter, when I have been shopping or when it’s raining.’
Secretary Emma Nicolle, 37, has lived in Coronation Road for five years.
She said the parking problem was getting pushed from one area to the other and was now being used as another way to make money.
‘If they are going to do it, it would be nice if they could make a residential parking zone around here to at least give us a chance,’ she said.
Marisol Concalves, 23, has recently moved to Brock Road where she shares her house with her husband and friend. She works until late at night five days a week at the St Martin’s Co-op and said parking was often difficult when she came home.
‘We have three cars between us and only one parking space, so two of us always have to look for somewhere else to park,’ she said.
Article posted on 4th December, 2009 - 2.29pm
35 Article Comments
A headline that, although technically accurate, is somewhat misleading – deliberately so I would suggest, with the intention to grab attention.
The much-maligned term “paid parking” in the context of Guernsey is normally used when describing a system whereby a fee is charged per visit for the usage of public car parks – it is also certain to attract attention, and sell newspapers!
This rather less controversial plan effectively makes that particular car park private – as the spaces are rented out per month to private individuals or organisations.
Report abuse
As a (for the sake of argument) taxpayer and a resident who parks in that car park, I find this actually INCREASES my burden. I can’t afford £100 a month. I spend all my grant cheques on alcohol and speedboats. You know, the usual student stuff.
What I don’t get is why they didn’t target a car park that is ONLY used by commuters. Like North Beach. Surely a little ‘VIP’ area in one corner with allocated parking would have a far higher take-up??
Besides, the commuters who can afford £100 a month for a space are the ones who are far enough along the corporate sewer to get allocated parking under their offices, which aren’t a minimum of a ten minute walk away from their warm and dry offices in the middle of winter.
So, thanks a bunch Deputy Mike O’Hara. When’s the next election?
Report abuse
Yep, Student Bob, it sucks. As a local resident who uses a car rarely, but often enough to warrant having one, I am now going to have to find £100 a month from somewhere. With commuter parking being shifted away from Beau Sejour and the small car park, the burden will fall firmly on the on street parking (mainly used by residents til now), so what choice do I have. There is no other parking in this residential area so it seems it was just a quick buck for Mr O’Hara’s department, without any thought to the consequences of who would really end up paying.
No paid parking for commuters, but tough on local residents, eh.
Report abuse
Agreed, Belinda.
Corry Road, Rouge Huis and the others find it hard to park at best at the moment, let alone using the ‘overspill’ with buggies, shopping and whatevers. Yet the main Beau Sejour car park remains free? As do the piers?
It’s madness. I thought O’Hara was one of the more caring types.
That’s why we need manifestos they stick to. No one can believe a word any of them say.
Vote for me in two and a half years and you’ll know where i stand!
Yeah, right.
Report abuse
The only thing that will happen here, is all the people who parked here will now move to the tarmac Beau Sejour car park and clog that up even more.If Mr Ohara wanted to make some money out of it for his department, he should put paid parking at Beausie, like at the airport, first 2 hrs free, for those using the gym or swimming etc, then you pay for it, time and time again i have to hunt for a space there whilst my kids are swimming, because all those who live nearby use it as a private car park, indeed there are cars there which never seem to move , not counting the amount of people who park there and walk in to town. Just wait until paid parking in town comes in, (if ever)as everyone will use these free ones.Good on the Culture dept for having the balls to start something which hopefully will continue elsewhere as joe public seems to think they have a god given right to park where and when they like for as often and as long as they like.
Report abuse
Only the beginning wait until the wheel clampers arrive and a host of other state sponsored highwaymen. The rich love indirect taxes and hate the only fair tax – Income Tax.
I still cant believe they got away with extending the retirement age yet keeping their goldplated govt pensions.
Report abuse
Flyer – you say you hunt for a parking space, which suggests you drive a car. Where do you park it when not out and about? Do you have parking at home?
Not everyone can afford to rent/buy properties with the luxury of parking – they attract something of a premium. Are you suggesting that those who therefore can’t afford more expensive accomodation should either do without their own vehicles, or scrabble around for the exorbitant rents such as those to be charged by C and L?
Report abuse
Well now we know: next election there’s going to be some very new faces; I said Faces.
And the old one will undoubtedly look quite aggrieved and say —
Why? what did I do wrong?
And the people will answer in one accord
“All that was possible to do.”
Report abuse
In the same area it has akso come to our attention that the residents parking permits will be rescinded shortly and the replacement permits will be issued at a cost to residents. I understand this was quietly passed when the States overturned the strategic decision made in the last government to introduce paid parking. So now residents of L’hyvreuse, Candie Road and the local area will have the pleasure of paying for a permit that does not guarantee them a park as it is open to anyone to parking in these streets.
I have no objection to paying for a residents permit if it provides the right to park close to my property. We returned our £100 per month car park opposite the Duke of Richmond earlier this year, no longer able to justify the additional cost so I can fully empathize with those residents now facing the stark choice of a £100 per month tax or the risk of fines parking in the street.
It would have been much more equitable for the politicians to show some political will power to introduce paid parking and make a return on the major carparks in town which are used across the whole island population, rather than targeting a small residential area which already has insufficient parking.
Report abuse
£100 per month is a crazy price for a resident’s permit. £100 per year would be more like it. I guess that the problem is that this is an isolated proposal and not part of a coordinated plan. There must be many more residents than spaces and so it would not be fair to award permits to the lucky few that happen to apply first. But £100 per month is hardly reasonable either.
This really should be part of a fully thought out scheme for affordable residents permits throughout town – guaranteeing the ability of residents to park near home.
Report abuse
It’s difficult enough to park at Beau Sejour for sporting activities already, why grass over some of the current parking and rent out others to commuters?! On the nights when there are theatre productions etc. on at Beau Sejour there is nowhere near enough parking for those guests plus the usual people taking part in sports at the same time. This is only going to increase the parking problem and perhaps stop people from going to Beau Sejour to exercise which is a real shame.
Report abuse
Let’s all remember having a car in Guernsey isn’t a must. If you don’t have a space to park at home, why not save some money and sell your car? It will cut down on your carbon footprint too. Guernsey is 7miles by 5 miles? Is that right? Buses are 60p a ride. Walking might help some people become healthier too! Just walk in the middle of the road, cars drive on the footpaths! Maybe walkers and cyclist should take over the roads!
Report abuse
Buses with subsidy cost about £1.70p, and with all the imported drivers not knowing the roads, makes it more unsafe.
The free meal is always paid by somebody and that is the motorist.
Report abuse
There is something of a purge in progress at BS, with car park users being interrogated as to the purpose of their visits.
What reaction would you get if you simply said that you were taking the kids for a walk round the park, rather than using the sports facilities?
Anyone know?
Report abuse
I have just come back from the uk and believe me i have not known anthing like it.you need to take out a bloody loan to park over there..every where you go is paid parking and god forbid if you park over or forget to pay.thats it clamped- towed -and more money to pay up.£100 pound a month is not that bad but we do not realy want to go down the road of paid parking..no
Report abuse
Edquet … these parking spaces, following your logic, cost £100 each per month with a subsidy, but are currently offered free to the public …. I would question why you think people should get free parking at MY expense, especially when you seem so down on bus users who at least pay for some of their journey ?
The motorist is the one getting a free meal, bus users just get a hefty discount :) ….
Report abuse
With EDQUET ‘local’ views… maybe thats why Guernsey is 20 years behind the rest of the world. lots of developing countries have better soical policies than Guernsey. Guernsey’s a great place, just wish some people were a a little more open minded.
Report abuse
Tony
Motorist pay tax on their fuel which is a revenue to the states, one that none car users dont have to pay, so how is it for free?
also why do you get to use the pavements for free at my expense. Silly isn`t it?
Report abuse
Tony-start clamping-and then charge to take the clamp…:]hehe
Report abuse
I wouldn’t want Beausie to charge for parking and I can’t see it – they make enough of a loss as it is. Charge for parking and lots of business would disappear!
BUT… I am pleased if there is a purge on there on commuter parking. I hate trying to get to the gym and finding no spaces because people are disregarding the signs and parking there then wandering into town.
Terry Le Mond them! brings in the bacon without charging their customers! (yes, I know it’s Terre a l’Amende).
Report abuse
And Tony bus users get a subsidised service paid for by the motorist in this new petrol price
Report abuse
bcb
We all pay for all sorts of things through taxes that we don’t necessarily use.
Every parking space that is given away for free is lost revenue, and therefore subsidised.
this lost money is made up from general revenue, so if you pay any tax at all you are contributing to that subsidy. the only way to limit your exposure is to earn less and pay less tax.
At least I can in part avoid fuel duty by using less fuel ( by whatever means )
Buses are subsidised by us all, the same as the hospital, the police, the car parks , the roads – and regardless of how much ( if ever ) you use them.
However bus users directly contribute every time they use a bus ( although it could and should be more ) and directly reduce the subsidy needed. If you use any of the free services ( such as car parking ) you do not directly contribute, only indirectly through taxes.
Yes car users pay extra on fuel to subsidise buses, but then it’s supposed to be part of an integrated transport solution – if the extra cost makes you make just one less car journey then it has achieved something in my opinion ..
Report abuse
John, Edquet et al, the most precious resource of a small, finite island is its land, its space, and for far too many decades now all you selfish motorists have been getting a free ride, subsidised to the hilt by the rest of us for your god given free parking spaces.
It is high time you start to pay the full market rate for the privilege of parking your tin boxes on this precious space that belongs to all of us. Well done Culture and Leisure for its initiative at Beau Sejour. That’s my land as well as yours and I would much rather see it pay for itself than see you lot continue to get your selfish, environmentally destructive way.
Our States should follow the Swedish city of Lund’s example and INCREASE the bus subsidy MASSIVELY to achieve a near 50 per cent cycle commuter rate. If Lund can do it so can we and everyone bar the selfish motorists will benefit.
Click on the link below and you’ll see what can be achieved.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/8393475.stm
Report abuse
Martino – the headline of that article is “…where 60% of people leave their car at home”. I use my car once or twice a week – walk pretty much everywhere and if I had parking with my house then it would usually be at home, but sometimes it really is necessary to use the car.. I am not a selfish motorist by any means, but now I am going to have to find £1200 a year to enable me to keep my car near my house, whilst the commuters still get to park for free. To me, this demonstrates a total lack of joined up thinking. By all means introduce paid parking – but do it across the board instead of penalising one small section of the community who are probably the people who can’t afford to buy/rent properties that have their own parking spaces anyway.
Report abuse
“now all you selfish motorists”
The extreme end of the environmental lobby really don’t do themselves any favours do they?
Report abuse
Martino
you want to try and calm down a bit mate with your over reation comments.
Can you give us a figure of how much the states take in reveue from the motorist and then how much it costs per parking space then try telling me there free? nothing is for free.
Any way i`m just off for a spin in my lorry then i`ll park it on a FREE parking space when i get back, so there :)
oh and give me back my fuel tax and i`ll pay to park my car, and i bet i`ll be a lot beeter off.
Report abuse
It may surprise you to learn that I own and drive a car, although I use it sparingly, preferring to use my bike and the bus. I can sympathise with Belinda’s position but not with the commuter types who think they have some sort of inalienable right to free parking just because they pay the same sort of taxes as the rest of us. Really the point I’m trying to make is that the car is king on this tiny island but we’d all be better off if it was dethroned!
Report abuse
Tony. I have always believed in paid parking and the policy of polluter and user pays.
Ryan. Why are you staying here, in a backward Island, 20 years behind in social policies.
Why is it that so many people want to come and live and work in this Island 20 years behind?
If you do not like it here,plenty of more developed countries for you to go to.
Good Buy e, Good Buy e.
Report abuse
The right to own a car dosen’t come with a right to a parking space. People who buy houses with parking pay for it in the increased cost of the house. They also pay to keep it maintained.
In years gone by most people couldn’t afford cars, these days everybody wants. wants, wants. Get real when you buy a car it’s your resposibility to have somewhere to park it not the nanny States to provide somwhere for free.
Report abuse
During the summer, both the tarmac car park & the now filled in car park were full every night with softball players/supporters cars… now these cars will have to park in the main car park – this can be up to about 40-50 cars… On a night where there is a play or the like, there will be no parking at all – once again these States fools act before thinking…
I for one will not be voting for any deputies seeking re-election at the next election…
They are grabbing more & giving less all of the time – they make me sick!!
Guernsey States = Slime:
Scrooge
Like
Imbeciles
Making
Enemies
Report abuse
Paid Parking should be introduced at BS.
I use the airport regularly and have to pay?
If I use the leisure centre then by using it, parking should be included in the cost but not sure it was built to be a public carpark. Do those who live near the airport get that luxury?
All cars left overnight at BS imo should be clamped. Nice money earner there and why not rent the spaces out to local businesses? The states do it elsewhere in SPP so why not.
And yes, I commute to SPP daily in my car and my company pays £200 per month per staff member to park. Maybe a PPUG (paid parking user Group) should join forces with BUG as sure one will benefit the other
Report abuse
PC,
In your company, if a staff member took the bus or cycled to work, would they get the extra £200 on their salary?
Report abuse
PC – Duuuhhh…..
The Airport is a captive market sort of – if you want to go away which people do, you either get taxis or park there.
Harder to not go on holiday than decide not to play squash. And in any case we are trying to a) encourage healthy lifestyle and b) BS runs at a loss anyway.
Report abuse
John
No they do not and they do not but would be interesting if the bus co sold Annual Company bus passes as who knows…may encouragge more to use them.
Billy – you missed the point..users of BS should be free/included in the cost (supermarkets have similar schemes in city centres if you purchase food you get free parking), people living near by or commuters should pay
Report abuse
PC,
It sounds like your company is shelling out £200 a month as a positive incentive for each member of staff to drive their own car to work.
Annual bus passes won’t make much difference – as it is, two trips a day on the bus costs less than £20 a month.
Report abuse