Shoppers welcome idea of pay-on-exit parking in Lincoln

Shoppers and businesses have welcomed the concept of pay on exit car parking in Lincoln.

It is one of several options being explored for shaping the City of Lincoln Council's future parking strategy.

It could mean people paying as they exit a car park, rather than the usual pay and display upon arrival.

The idea was mooted at the sixth annual Linking Lincoln City Centre Masterplan conference.

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Kate Ellis, assistant director of planning and regeneration, told the Echo: "We should be able to implement pay on exit parking fairly quickly.

"I like to think that in a year's time we are at this conference saying it is the first initiative to come out of the strategy."

She told delegates that park and ride – and ensuring car parks are in the right places for a growing city – will be also be looked at.

"Whether all of our car parks remain pay and display or some become pay on exit needs looking at," she said.

"I did go to Peterborough for an emergency passport and parked in a pay on exit car park at John Lewis and it was really handy.

"I was there for five-and-a-half hours and it cost me £6.

"We are not talking about a traditional highways parking strategy for Lincoln. We need to ensure it allows us to deliver and support our growth strategy for the city."

Businessman Jonathan Pass, the owner of Charlotte House Hotel, in Lincoln, said: "It's about time pay on exit parking was looked at.

"People arrive in Lincoln, maybe many of them for the first time, and they're constantly watching the clock and risking a fine.

"If you look at York, which I think is probably more progressive in its approach to parking, you just drive in, take a ticket, stay as long as you want and pay when you leave."

Shopper Michael Lofts, 29, a taxi driver, of Longdales Road, Lincoln, said he would support a pay on exit system if charges were fair.

"Everything in life is better as a pay and you go system," he said.

"Paying for however long you're actually there seems a much better idea."

Retired printer Gary Hill, 71, of Chippendale Road, Lincoln, said: "Pay on exit is a good idea because you often find you need to spend longer in town that you expected."

David Hodson, owner of Ian Keat Jewellers, in The Strait, said: "Pay on exit parking could help but a good way forward would be making it free to park for the first one-and-a-half hours."

The conference focussed on the future challenge for retail in the city.

Topics included the level crossings issue and why everyone in the city centre should act as ambassadors for Lincoln.