Parking changes benefit shoppers and traders

A new parking system which will allow shoppers and visitors to park for as long as they like in the town is being introduced at The Malls shopping centre car park.

A new ‘pay on foot’ parking system will mean that users of The Malls car parking (also known as the Alencon Link or Anvil car park) will pay when they leave rather than at the beginning of their stay. This will also benefit traders and retail owners in the shopping centre and town, as Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Development and Transport Cllr Clive Sanders explains:

“Basingstoke is a popular shopping destination and we want to make sure that the council is doing all it can to support traders and retailers as well as making it easier and more convenient for users of our car parks. By allowing users to pay when they leave they don’t have to worry about their ticket running out.

He added: “This change and our refurbishment plans for The Malls shopping centre will mean there will be even more reason for people to stay and visit the shops and leisure facilities in the centre of town.”

There will be no changes to the parking charges as a result of the new system which comes into effect on 15 March 2010.

Blue badge holders are also being notified by the council that they will need to register in advance for concessionary parking as the new system uses an Automatic Number Plate Recognition system to allow users entry and exit. To continue to use the car park after the 15 March blue badge holders should register online at www.themallsbasingstoke.co.uk or call 01256 468892 for an application form.

The council is also looking at the possibility of extending this new system to other car parks in the borough.