A freedom of information request has revealed how many motorists were penalised after changes were made to the city’s controlled parking zone earlier this year
Liverpool Council held consultations into extending parking charges in the city centre past their current 6pm cut-off(Image: Liverpool Echo)
More than 7,000 drivers were caught out by the end of free parking in Liverpool city centre in the first three months of the new scheme. It was confirmed in May that two and a half years after the idea was first proposed, the local authority would finally move forward with plans to extend parking charges until 11pm.
Despite almost 90% of people indicating they were against the move, city leaders pressed ahead with the change, arguing it would standardise parking. It had been expected the amendments would go live at the start of June.
New data released to the ECHO via a Freedom of Information request has revealed how thousands of tickets were handed out to drivers between August and October this year. The largest amount of fines were located on Hope Street where businesses have told of their frustration with the scheme.
Signage and parking meters were updated across the city centre to reflect the changes to the controlled parking zone (CPZ). As a result, drivers are no longer able to leave their cars on city streets for free after 6pm.
The move originated after a review of the CPZ around the city centre back in 2018. An initial informal public consultation was held in February 2022 after which proposals were revised and a statutory consultation undertaken between July and August 2023.
The ECHO understands the last delay related to ensuring pay and display machines are correctly updated alongside the new signage required across the city centre. Cllr Dan Barrington, cabinet member for transport and connectivity, said changes to the city’s offering would help deal with issues like the ongoing scourge of pavement parking.
The existing two hour maximum stay limit for pay and display bays on roads within the Hope Street area will be extended to four hours. This will include Hope Street, Blackburne Place, Falkner Street between Hope Street and Catharine Street, Maryland Street between Hope Street and South Hunter Street and Caledonia Street.
The Pen Factory on Hope Street. Photo by Colin Lane
Hope Street proved to be the hot spot for offenders according to the data provided via the Freedom of Information request. During the period August 1 to October 31, 385 drivers were hit with fines.
Fiona Hornsby operates the Denbigh Castle and Bridewell pubs in the city centre and added The Pen Factory next to the Everyman Theatre to her stable of venues last year. She admitted that had the change to parking charges been on the table before she completed the deal, it may have given her cause to think again.
She said: “The pre-theatre crowd has completely dropped off. Now the time has changed, it doesn’t give people long enough, you can’t just walk out of the theatre to put extra money in can you? Hospitality is suffering under so much pressure already.
“Some places are just trying to get on until Christmas, it’s relentless at the minute. When you think you’re getting somewhere they throw this at you.” Matt Haycox is The Pen Factory’s general manager and said the charges had hit the business’ entertainment bookings alongside getting people in to see them.
The Pen Factory on Hope Street. Pictured General Manager Matt Haycox. Photo by Colin Lane
He said: “We’re forever trying to get people. It also impacts staff.
“The music we put on, the acts are having to pay more to bring their gear in and it’s costing us more to get them to come here.”
Fiona added: “I just think it’s really short sighted. We’re trying to do things to adapt but it’ll never fill the gap, Christmas will be the big tell.”
Half a mile away a further 378 motorists were caught out parking their cars without the required ticketing on Duke Street. Old Hall Street was the third highest location for tickets with 264 drivers fined.
Further changes also came into force as part of the amendments. Other types of parking bays, such as loading and limited waiting bays will also be amended to become pay and display, residents or disabled bays, or single yellow lines in the evenings.
Duke Street(Image: Andrew Teebay)
The proposed extended hours will require additional enforcement, with revenues expected to bring in almost £240,000 until parking behaviours improved. The cost of enforcement is being met from within existing budgets.
Of the more than 7,000 tickets handed out, 4,642 were paid to the city council. Around 2,500 remained outstanding at the time of the data being issued to the ECHO.
A Liverpool Council spokesperson said:“The changes to the city centre’s controlled parking zone were needed as Liverpool has undergone substantial growth in recent years, including new developments, pedestrianised areas, and an expanding residential population. The rise of the night-time economy has placed significant pressure on parking availability, leading to congestion, illegal parking, and reduced access for residents and businesses.
“The CPZ changes have enabled the Council to undertake robust enforcement over a longer time period. The recent increase in parking charges saw our fees come into line with other similar sized cities, and was only the second rise in over a decade.
“We control just 28% of parking across the city, and, up until recently have on average charged 47% less than private sector car parks and other big cities for equivalent parking provision.
“The changes aim to reduce congestion and improve road safety. They will also enhance air quality and promote sustainable travel, while ensuring better turnover of parking spaces for residents, businesses, and visitors.”