General Discussion
I have challenged some councillors on why there is no free parking for those that attend the doctors, hospital or the chemist. Councillor Rosalind Prowse's reason was the worst of the lot. If she is a contributor to this site, perhaps she would give her reason's why those that visit the doctors, hospial or the chemist, should have to pay, even if it is only to pick up a script, Then everyone will know her reasons. Or if she doesn't visit this site, perhaps someone else could ask her for her reasons and report back here.
There is half hour free parking in parts of the strand, (DevonCounty council enforces parking there) and there is also half hour free parking in the Strand car park, (Teignbridge enforce in this car park) both I understand havingthe half hour free parking by the presure placed on them by businesses in the town.
I wonder how much pressure would be required from ordinary folk to get some free parking at the Barton hill car park.
Her interests are about looking after the interests of the residents of the area and getting the best possible future for all. I haven't seen many signs of that, especially when it comes to this issue.
So how many who contribute to this site agree that there should be some free parking as there is in the Strand and the Strand car park
The problem is simple if there is free parking for those who have a appointment how would the enforcement officer know who has a appointment and who hasnt, second problem do you want 30 mins free or 1 hour, appointments overun and i have been in the surgery for 90 mins before now. You could have a ANPR system as in the CO OP car park but i would imagine the cost would rule that out, this has been talked about as long as i can remember and no solution has ever been proposed, now me i walk there i dont live close to the surgery and i am over 70.
Who (as in which organisation - NHS? TDC? DCC? Other?) gets the revenue from the surgery/hospital/pharmacy car park?
Lots of ideas have been thrown around in the past gift that part of the car park to the surgery the problem with that is if it was free folk would park there who just wanted long term free parking we pay for parking in hospitals and at the end of the day it is a car park its not specificaly for the surgery. I recently paid a visit to a friend in Barnstable who had a doctors appointment that day now the surgery he attended had its own car park and it was pay and display i wonder if folk would still moan if the revenue went to the Barton Surgery instead of TDC.
Teignbridge own the land and the car park, no reason for them not to charge. I agree it would be lovely if the money from these carparks go towards the Health Centre and Hospital, but that won't happen.
In reply to leatash. Whatever time limit 1hr or 1/2hr, you would take a ticket from the machine and place it on your dash. If you over-run the time, you would expect to get a ticket, but I would expect that those who are visiting the surgery, to be able to get an over-run ticket from the surgery should that be the case. And, ANPR cameras are not allowed to be used in local authority car parks.
All I am asking for is free parking for everyone for whatever time is decided. If it can be done in the Strand car park (owned by Teignbridge (us)) and in the Strand itself (enforced by Devon county council), then why can it not be done in the part of the barton car park adjaent to the surgery.
In reply to Lynne. Teignbridge get to keep all the money taken for parking in the car park andall of the car parks they own. Devon county get to keep all the income from parking in pay and disply on the roads. Teignbridge can do what they like with the income. DCC can only use the income for specific purposes.
But why should it be free if i take my car and thats a big if i would rather walk i dont mind paying, how about free parking and a set fee to see the doctor why is it that folk expect free parking to shop go to the hospital see the doc etc etc . On a recent visit to the Highlands i didn't once pay to park all the car parks are free the downside it took ages to find a space and i gave up in two car parks. The problem with a giving free time is everyone will want it, the Barton car park is designated as one zone so the car park at the surgery and by the brook is one car park give free time in one section and you would have to give it to the whole car park just pay and stop moaning it wont change believe me.
leatash, I did not say free all of the time, there are ways and means of differentiating one part of a car park from the other part. There are zones everywhere on street in Exeter. You can get a permit to park in one zone but not in any of the others. A simlar system could be applied in the Barton car park, Note I said similar system). It seems to me that if you can get 1/2hr free parking in the Strand and the Strand car park, then why not get 1/2hr or whatever in the Barton car park? It seems to me you are fitter and heathier that many other people, and don't care too much for other people's need's. It is a great pity that ANPR is not allowed in local authority car parks. If they were allowed like they have in Morrison's in Teignmouth it would be great. The law will allow ANPR cameras in local authority car parks I am sure-eventually, but for now another solution could be found.
If you are disabled and go to Dawlish Warren, I believe you have to pay just like the rest of us to park, unless you have a permit from Teignbridge. But someone will correct me if I am wrong.
The problem is now't is free you give concessions in one place they will recoup it elsewhere so you pay in the end TDC will not give free time without increasing parking charges elsewhere. Yes i am lucky with health but I have made it that way I dont drink or smoke, I exercise every day and look after myself. A life in the Army taught me well and I am sympathetic with those less fortunate, but I wonder how many folk visiting the docs on a weekly basis have problems related to their life style. Folk with very serious health issues will probably have disabled badges as will those with terminal illness so the most vulnerable don't have to pay anyway.
leatash:
It was also argued that there is no such thing as free parking – someone has to pay for it, whether through upkeep and maintenance or through the opportunity cost of the space itself. Not quite true.(Patrick Troy CEO of the BPA) but he would say that wouldn't he, he has members to look after and he will say anthing to please his members. If I owned a piece of land and allowed free parking on it, who else would be paying because I allowed free parking?
Thats no argument TDC are a business their car parks are profitable it stands to reason if they allow free parking they will not be prepared to lose revenue so will charge extra for something else well I can't carry on with the discusion as I am off to walk the Pennine Way, back in 10 days people.