Decision details

1          The options on charging tariffs for The Avenue, High Street, Braccan Walk and Weather Way car parks in Bracknell from 1 October 2022 be noted.

2          That Option 1 as set out in Table 2 of the Executive Director: Delivery’s report be approved.

The fees for The Avenue, High Street, Braccan Walk and Weather Way car parks are reviewed annually in line with the anniversary of the opening of The Lexicon. 

The Council could maintain the current charges for The Avenue, High Street, Braccan Walk and Weather Way car parks.  However, this option is not recommended in the current budget circumstances as increasing current rates could generate additional income of up to £473,130 per annum based on 2021/22 usage.  Usage rates remain 15% down from pre-covid levels and income targets are unlikely to be achieved in 22/23.  There is no real indication of if/when this will occur and may not do so given a move to online retail shopping.

If tariffs are not increased this year and increased in 12 months’ time in October 2023, then the increase will need to  be greater at that point in order to rebalance income which may be considered negatively by the customer.

The Avenue car park is by far the busiest car park in town and at peak periods can sometimes reach capacity with some level of queuing.  In order to better manage supply and demand across the whole estate, the daily tariffs at Braccan Walk and High Street could be set at a slightly lower level so as to reduce demand at the Avenue at peak periods.  Clearly this would have a negative effect financially.

None.