Babergh District Council plans to adapt the ticket machines in its free short stay Sudbury car parks so that they issue tickets 24 hours a day – in response to the needs of residents who use them in the evenings, overnight and in the early mornings.
According to Ryan Jones, Babergh’s Head of Contract & Asset Management: “The ticket machines were installed in early August to help us effectively enforce the existing three hour maximum waiting period.
"This is a key part of the free car parking system which is designed to encourage a reasonable turnover of users and hence contribute to the vitality and viability of Sudbury’s town centre.
"The machines issue tickets during the peak period between 8am and 5pm and we note that less than 2% of users have been issued with a fine for failing to display a ticket during that time.
“However, we are aware that a small minority need to use the car parks during off-peak times before 8am and thus far have been forced to return to their cars after 8am to get a ticket or risk getting a fine.
"Evidence suggests that these users are either night shift workers or people needing to pop into the town for a short early appointment."
Babergh has now asked the company which installed the machines in the car parks at Girling and North Street and at Roy’s to change the software in them so that they now issue tickets throughout the day and night.
“Although not entirely in the Council’s control, Babergh is striving to make these changes – which will be accompanied by signs explaining this adaptation - within the next few weeks," Mr Jones added.
Babergh will be confirming when the changes are due to be implemented at the earliest possible opportunity.
Once the ticket machines have been modified, the following will apply:
• As previously, anyone using the short stay car parks between the peak times of 8am and 5pm during the week and 8am to 12pm on Saturdays must show a ticket and ensure that their stay includes no more than three hours during those periods in order to avoid the risk of them getting a fine.
• Anyone who arrives in the car parks during off- peak period but is concerned that their stay may run into the peak time must show a ticket. This will allow them to park until 11am during the following peak period without the risk of getting a fine.
• From 12pm on Saturdays to 5pm on Sundays and Bank Holidays, the ticket machines will be switched off.
Mr Jones continued: “Once implemented, Babergh will continue to monitor the situation.
"In the meantime and until the machines have been converted over to 24-hour issuing, all car park users will be expected to continue making arrangements to ensure they display a ticket between 8am and 5pm during the week or 8am until 12pm on Saturdays." ENDS
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