HUNTINGDONSHIRE residents have a chance from today (Tuesday) to tell the district council what they think about proposals to change car parking arrangements, particularly in Huntingdon, and increase charges. HDC s consultation runs until 5 December 2007,

HUNTINGDONSHIRE residents have a chance from today (Tuesday) to tell the district council what they think about proposals to change car parking arrangements, particularly in Huntingdon, and increase charges.

HDC's consultation runs until 5 December 2007, with displays of the proposals available during the day at the following locations, together with information and questionnaire to enable responses to be made.

* Tuesday and Wednesday November 13 and 14, Commemoration Hall foyer, Huntingdon High Street, 10am until 4pm

* Thursday and Friday November 15 and 16, Priory Centre, St Neots, 10am until 4pm

* Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday November 19-21, Town Hall foyer, Market Hill, St Ives

Consultation booklets and questionnaires will also be available from the Ramsey Information Centre, Great Whyte.

The draft strategy can be found on www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk together with the proposed action plan and questionnaire. All comments received will be considered by the car parking member working party during December, which will make its final recommendations to the council's cabinet. It is expected that the new arrangements will begin in April 2008, HDC said.

The proposed strategy and action plan shows that a tailored approach is needed for each of the district's towns. In Huntingdon there is a need for additional weekday parking, and to address the impact rail commuter parking has on the currently free car parks. St Neots needs more spaces to meet market day demand. The strategy also looks at recognising users of low emission vehicles by offering reduced rates on season tickets, and for people who pay to park on a daily basis, a means other than cash of paying for parking.

Specifically for the individual towns the strategy suggests:

Huntingdon

New long stay car park at Bridge Place, Godmanchester

Make Mill Common car park short stay (maximum four hours)

Introduce appropriate charging for long stay parking at Riverside and Bridge Place

Create a short stay area at Riverside to take account of the recreational use there

Target charges to make car parks less attractive to rail commuters

Worker season tickets for car parks outside the ring road

Trial new ticket machines at Riverside and Bridge Place

Improved signage to car parks

Consider leasing land around Brampton Road for car parking

St Neots

Make Tan Yard short stay to help meet the market day demand

Expand Cambridge Road - improving access to Huntingdon Street and targeted charges if appropriate

Keep Riverside car park free because of high leisure use

In partnership with developers, look at opportunities for creating parking on the south side of town.

St Ives

Work with Cambridgeshire County Council to review one-hour on-street parking charges in the Market Hill area.

Monitor parking levels on London Road flood arches to ensure parking demand continues to be met.

Assess parking needs in Market Hill as part of the future environmental improvement scheme

Monitor the effects of guided bus park and ride car park in relation to town centre parking.

Ramsey

Parking to remain free of charge

Investigate short stay areas within Mews Close

Investigate additional parking at Mews Close - possibly a scheme with adjacent residential development

Work with the county council to remove some on-street parking to improve safety and traffic flow.