Cambridge parking prices set to overtake London?
Discussion
According to the Cambridge Evening News, Cambridge parking prices are possibly set to rise yet again.
They're making noises like £17 quid for up to five hours. Thinks: into town, shop, lunch, swiftly followed by an urgent need to remortgage to pay for the car park. On Friday I paid £15.50 for up to four hours parking. In bloody London. In the car park right next to the Savoy bloody hotel. I never thought I'd see the two places head for parity...
I know they're just talking about a major hike for one of the five main car parks, but experience suggests that it's the thin end of the wedge in this place. Additionally, many many tourists are going to be caught painfully unawares unless the council gets seriously medievil with the signage. The place already has an excess of bloody signs cluttering the place up (they just "zoned" bits of the city with all sorts of barmy meaningless - to most - names), and all we need are some more. Really.
I've quoted the article below, because the CEN website is crap and uses links that don't persist between editions (like, how lame is that?). Content (C) Cambridge Evening News and all that.
>>> Edited by Marshy on Wednesday 30th January 00:59
They're making noises like £17 quid for up to five hours. Thinks: into town, shop, lunch, swiftly followed by an urgent need to remortgage to pay for the car park. On Friday I paid £15.50 for up to four hours parking. In bloody London. In the car park right next to the Savoy bloody hotel. I never thought I'd see the two places head for parity...
I know they're just talking about a major hike for one of the five main car parks, but experience suggests that it's the thin end of the wedge in this place. Additionally, many many tourists are going to be caught painfully unawares unless the council gets seriously medievil with the signage. The place already has an excess of bloody signs cluttering the place up (they just "zoned" bits of the city with all sorts of barmy meaningless - to most - names), and all we need are some more. Really.
I've quoted the article below, because the CEN website is crap and uses links that don't persist between editions (like, how lame is that?). Content (C) Cambridge Evening News and all that.
quote:
SHOPPERS in Cambridge may have to pay £1 an hour to park in council-run car parks on Sundays from April.
Overall, the biggest hikes are expected at Lion Yard but they will also be felt all round the city after council chiefs unveiled plans to scrap the flat rate fee on Sundays and increase hourly rates on Saturdays.
The aim of the overhaul is to reduce traffic around the Lion Yard and encourage shoppers to use other car parks and park and ride.
At a meeting of the Cambridge Environment and Transport Area Joint Committee yesterday councillors voted to send the proposed fees out to public consultation.
Coun Colin Rosenstiel said: "We should advertise the maximum. Lion Yard should be at a premium compared to other sites. By comparison, Queen Anne will be a bargain.
"We should put a little economic leverage on people to encourage them to use other car parks. This would give us the opportunity to be financially flexible, depending on feedback."
On a Sunday, drivers could expect to pay £1 an hour at Lion Yard, the Grafton Centre and Queen Anne, as opposed to a current flat rate charge of between £1.50 and £2 per day.
Under fresh amendments put forward by Coun Rosenstiel at yesterday's meeting, rates at Lion Yard would be pushed up even further.
Up to five hours on a Saturday would cost £17, against the current £10.50, and more than five hours would cost £27, against £16.
CRACA the Cambridge Retail and Commercial Association has expressed concerns that weekend shoppers could take their money elsewhere.
Coun Nichola Harrison said: "We will take CRACA's representations seriously as part of the ongoing consultation process. We know they support the basic premise of what we are trying to do here which is to reduce queuing."
The issue of parking charges will be reviewed again in April, following feedback from the public and other parties.
>>> Edited by Marshy on Wednesday 30th January 00:59
AAArrrGGGhhh,
don't start me off, bloody Cambridge, shops closing cos of rents, bus lanes 24hr, busses for only 12, **&&^^%^&*(cycle lanes every where, at the expense of road, park and rides that could'nt cope if more than a "few" people used them, train station 2 miles out of town.I hate the bloody place, avoid it like the plague.
one saving grace, go there at night by taxi and it aint too bad.
don't start me off, bloody Cambridge, shops closing cos of rents, bus lanes 24hr, busses for only 12, **&&^^%^&*(cycle lanes every where, at the expense of road, park and rides that could'nt cope if more than a "few" people used them, train station 2 miles out of town.I hate the bloody place, avoid it like the plague.
one saving grace, go there at night by taxi and it aint too bad.
I live just outside Cambridge, and the one and only time I've had to go into the city (to the Honda garage) during a weekday, it took about 45mins to travel the approx 5 miles, it normally takes me 30mins to get to work 25 miles away in Huntingdon.
The Park and Rides are pretty good for weekend shopping, but that also is expensive if there's more than one of you (£1.20 each return).
The Park and Rides are pretty good for weekend shopping, but that also is expensive if there's more than one of you (£1.20 each return).
We live in Trumpington (south outskirts of cambridge) a 10 minute walk from the Park and Ride and I must say it is really good. We can walk to the bus, be in town in 10mins then have lunch (get largered) and catch the bus back. No use if you park and ride but for walk and ride it's great.
We have been stung by Cambridge parking a few times over the last year and now try not to drive in unless it is early on a weekend morning. There are a few places where you can park for a couple of hours on the road for a few quid, these are usually quite quiet, try near the cross keys.
D.
We have been stung by Cambridge parking a few times over the last year and now try not to drive in unless it is early on a weekend morning. There are a few places where you can park for a couple of hours on the road for a few quid, these are usually quite quiet, try near the cross keys.
D.
We use Cambridge less and less for the same reasons. The car parking charges will be the death of Cambridge at this rate. Increasingly we are using (1) Peterboro, (2) local shops eg St. Ives, (3) mail order. Shame because Cambridge has been one of the more pleasant places to go to for shops, restaurants etc. It appears the council wants it to be exclusive to the residents of Cambridge. 
My biggest objection to park and ride is that it's no good for a quick in and out job. Oh, that and the fact that I don't physically fit in bus seats. Being 6'4" I have legs that just won't go in, unless I hog the seat by sitting sideways. That's a guaranteed way to get looks of hate in a crowded bus.
I guess, perversely, I should thank them for the fact that charging hourly for Sunday shopping will drive people away. More space in the car park for me to nip in, buy what I want, then bugger off.
Agree re: the 24hr bus lanes for buses that bugger off at night. That's senseless. I could also mention the fact that the council seem to have aquired a job lot of pedestrian traffic lights and are flinging them in all over the shop. The junction "improvements" - the hilarious one being the roundabout with Elizabeth Way and Chesterton Road. That was a safety improvement...
I guess, perversely, I should thank them for the fact that charging hourly for Sunday shopping will drive people away. More space in the car park for me to nip in, buy what I want, then bugger off.
Agree re: the 24hr bus lanes for buses that bugger off at night. That's senseless. I could also mention the fact that the council seem to have aquired a job lot of pedestrian traffic lights and are flinging them in all over the shop. The junction "improvements" - the hilarious one being the roundabout with Elizabeth Way and Chesterton Road. That was a safety improvement...
About 15 years ago Bristol decided that its centre had too many cars in it. So they decided to tear down some car-parks, build a shopping centre on the ruins and lay on some more public transport.
So they forgot the public transport bit.
And so the traffic in town was crap. You couldn't park your car next to the shop so you could put your shopping in it and so....things were bad until...
A large out-of-town shopping mall opened (Cribbs Causeway). Large stores. Every one with more car parking than you could shake a stick at right outside.
And yes. People travel from all around to shop at Cribbs Causeway because they can park.
Bristol city centre suffered and suffered and now....they're doing their best to provide more car parking.
I LOVE IT when politically correct nonsense is foiled by people voting with their feet.
So Cambridge: You can fight this. You just need to keep it up long enough for the beardy weirdies to give up.
So they forgot the public transport bit.
And so the traffic in town was crap. You couldn't park your car next to the shop so you could put your shopping in it and so....things were bad until...
A large out-of-town shopping mall opened (Cribbs Causeway). Large stores. Every one with more car parking than you could shake a stick at right outside.
And yes. People travel from all around to shop at Cribbs Causeway because they can park.
Bristol city centre suffered and suffered and now....they're doing their best to provide more car parking.
I LOVE IT when politically correct nonsense is foiled by people voting with their feet.
So Cambridge: You can fight this. You just need to keep it up long enough for the beardy weirdies to give up.
I agree with the Cambridge crap - I have actually started going to Bury St Edmunds rather than pay the prices in Cambridge. Dont get me wrong I do occassionally go to Cambridge, but I am one of many people that have decided to not go there any more.
Once had to pay over £12 to park in Cambridge too. And how about this one - did Jury service at the court in central Cambridge. Normally the deal is that the Courts Service pays for displacement and parking (if necessary) for the period that you are doing it. However for Cambridge they wont do this - at £18 per day this was far too expensive! So, you have to use the park and ride or get public transport.... Nice one Cambridge! At the time I worked outside of the city and they it actually ended up me out of pocket to do my civil duty.... No wonder they have a problem.
To be honest the main reason for the pricing is that most of the Cambridge councilors and their "hangers-on" live in Cambridge itself. Why should the cater for outsiders and poor people who cant afford to live in the centre! I mean, surely £180,000 for a two / three bedroom 1900's terraced house seems reasonable doesnt it???? NOT...
Another example of the city planners cutting of the air supply in the effort to appease a small minority. I mean, if they want new business to come to the area, they have to make some major changes....
Bloody hate the place.
Cheers,
Paul
Once had to pay over £12 to park in Cambridge too. And how about this one - did Jury service at the court in central Cambridge. Normally the deal is that the Courts Service pays for displacement and parking (if necessary) for the period that you are doing it. However for Cambridge they wont do this - at £18 per day this was far too expensive! So, you have to use the park and ride or get public transport.... Nice one Cambridge! At the time I worked outside of the city and they it actually ended up me out of pocket to do my civil duty.... No wonder they have a problem.
To be honest the main reason for the pricing is that most of the Cambridge councilors and their "hangers-on" live in Cambridge itself. Why should the cater for outsiders and poor people who cant afford to live in the centre! I mean, surely £180,000 for a two / three bedroom 1900's terraced house seems reasonable doesnt it???? NOT...
Another example of the city planners cutting of the air supply in the effort to appease a small minority. I mean, if they want new business to come to the area, they have to make some major changes....
Bloody hate the place.
Cheers,
Paul
A major part of thr problem is that, like Oxford (where I live) there is a large Student population who do dumbass things like vote for the green loonies who want to get rid of cars - The Students can't understand the importance of commerce to the town, so they idiotically vote for these muppets, and so the council only has to please those peeple who live in the town + don't need to park to get re-elected.
It's a damn good argument for not having a vote unless you pay council tax!
It's a damn good argument for not having a vote unless you pay council tax!
Oi, Oi, Cambridge is a good place to live (ok I have a list of issues as long as my arm but we'll gloss over those). Yes parking is crap but try the park and ride it is pretty simple and if you ues the Trumpington on it's pretty quiet. You will be in town in 10 mins which is quicker than if you were parking.
Yes Cambridge does suffer from the annoying brown rice eaters and yes house prices are stupid but it does have some good points.
For instance if you are in town late at night in your sports exhaustified Griff and driving up Pembroke street, give it LOADS of welly, sounds uttery stunning ;-)
Some nice pubs and places to eat by all accounts.
Maybe we should have a pistonheads cambridge piss up? Or sound off (arf).
Yes Cambridge does suffer from the annoying brown rice eaters and yes house prices are stupid but it does have some good points.
For instance if you are in town late at night in your sports exhaustified Griff and driving up Pembroke street, give it LOADS of welly, sounds uttery stunning ;-)
Some nice pubs and places to eat by all accounts.
Maybe we should have a pistonheads cambridge piss up? Or sound off (arf).
Piss up? Fine plan, fine plan.
And like David, I like the place. A lot. I don't live *in* it, but it is my social hub really. Good places to eat and drink, especially now Mr Gerard and his french friends have turfed up. Mmmm, fillet steak. The shops are adequate, with some gems here and there, and the scenery and architecture is second to none.
I don't think the students are responsible for voting in a bunch of greenies - I'd be surprised if they gave enough of a damn about the place to bother *voting* at all, and I don't even think they're on the electoral roll here, but at home, n'est pas?
And like David, I like the place. A lot. I don't live *in* it, but it is my social hub really. Good places to eat and drink, especially now Mr Gerard and his french friends have turfed up. Mmmm, fillet steak. The shops are adequate, with some gems here and there, and the scenery and architecture is second to none.
I don't think the students are responsible for voting in a bunch of greenies - I'd be surprised if they gave enough of a damn about the place to bother *voting* at all, and I don't even think they're on the electoral roll here, but at home, n'est pas?
count me in.....where would you recommend for eating, so far HaHa seems to be a good bet for good grub at realistic prices. As for the traffic thing, the town was designed for horses and carts but the council are trying to keep everyone happy by allowing bus lanes, cycle lanes, heavy delivery trucks etc and it can't cope so something has to go. Personally I'd be happy if the multi story eyesores where demolished and everyone made to use the park and ride, it really pisses me off when I'm walking thro a pedestrian area and I have to jump out the way for a car that shouldnt be there
Ha Ha can be patchy - the food is good, but the service is intensely variable. The Vaults, just a few doors along from there does a fab range of evening grub tapas-style: i.e. you pick two or three dishes from the menu. Chez Gerard is bloody marvellous if you're prepared to spend a bit more than average - worth every penny in my opinion. Cafe Uno is good solid Italianish food, and the service is usually good. The place in the basement opposite Kings (forgotten the name) looks to have a very interesting menu, although it took us so long to get served last time that we walked out. However, might be worth a bash if they've got the service thing sorted (they were full last time...). On St. Andrew St., All Bar One's grub is good, as is the Siam Thai. If people like Thai, the Wrestlers on Newmarket Road is good, as is the Hopbine on Fair St. Not that I like Thai food at all... :-)
Run, don't walk, away from Cafe Rouge, Garfunkel's, and their ilk.
Timing-wise, I'm pretty flexible, just not this weekend! And for a laugh, we should all try and use public transport to get there. LOL.
Run, don't walk, away from Cafe Rouge, Garfunkel's, and their ilk.
Timing-wise, I'm pretty flexible, just not this weekend! And for a laugh, we should all try and use public transport to get there. LOL.
Ok, so I was being a little too hard on Cambridge. It is strange though - there are definately good people there (see above postings), but there are some absolute arrogant people there too - something liked to the University usually. You know Professor and that type of thing, normally the ratio of IQ to Common Sense is tipped towards IQ and *AWAY* from Common Sense.....
I guess Cambridge isnt that bad really. There are some good pubs and the bar culture is starting to take off - I like that idea, ability to get a drink or coffee or food in a nice place without loud music etc... Something that we can learn a hell of a lot from our European friends...
If anyone doesnt mind a misserable git moaning about Cambridge then count me in too...
Dare I mention the cost of parking at the train station?
Cheers,
Paul
I guess Cambridge isnt that bad really. There are some good pubs and the bar culture is starting to take off - I like that idea, ability to get a drink or coffee or food in a nice place without loud music etc... Something that we can learn a hell of a lot from our European friends...
If anyone doesnt mind a misserable git moaning about Cambridge then count me in too...
Dare I mention the cost of parking at the train station?
Cheers,
Paul
Count me in as well, if you don't mind someone nearly as old as Apache joining in! Been in Cambridge now over 14 years and still like the place but not the speed bumps. Used to commute to London from Cambridge Station leaving my Griffith there at the Station when I didn't want to use the runabout. Now using the TVR most days on the slow run via Newmarket Road - much better.
Mike
Mike
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