Doubts cast on future of paid parking

Wednesday 17th September 2008, 2:30PM BST.

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.