MBDA reveals move for 1 300 meters to be located in string of streets
MOTORISTS could soon be paying for parking in Central as the Mandela Bay Development Agency (MBDA) looks at setting up demarcated parking bays in the area.
The plan is to charge R5 an hour during working hours and for five hours of the day over weekends.
Consultations on the proposal have started with those affected. The idea is being promoted as one that will curb crime, maximise the use of parking areas and create jobs.
The MBDA hosted an information session yesterday to discuss the idea with business and corporate entities which would be affected.
Pilot areas and the number of bays envisaged include:
- Strand Street, 62;
- Govan Mbeki Avenue, 58;
- Chapel Street, 60;
- Whites/Western roads, 118;
- Donkin Street, 90;
- Parliament Street, 134;
- Clyde Street; 113;
- Rink Street, 38;
- Belmont Terrace, 82;
- Robson Street, 32;
- Rose Street, 65;
- Bird Street, 209;
- Havelock Street, 94;
- Lawrence Street, 40;
- Stanley Street, 134.
MBDA chief executive Pierre Voges said the implementation of the project would most likely only begin next year depending on whether everything went to plan.
“Should the pilot phase succeed, the programme may be extended to other development nodes in the city.”
Voges said the plan, which would see a total of 1 329 demarcated parking bays incorporated during the pilot phase, would benefit businesses as well as residents.
Benefits of the Inner City Mobile Parking Meter Programme would include visible foot patrolling and monitoring of the parking bays, monitoring and reporting of suspected criminal activities, and ensuring a safer environment for the public to shop, work, park and visit.
“We want to see an efficient, effective, fair and equitable use of parking bays in the city,” Voges said.
“Through this programme, the MBDA will provide for a convenient, safe, secure parking environment while creating much-needed formal employment opportunities for most of the currently unregulated car guards.”
At the first of two meetings on the matter, business representatives from a range of sectors – including retailers, property owners and architects – discussed a number of issues.
Voges told the meeting at the Athenaeum in Belmont Terrace that the proposal for the project included a financial model based on a parking rate per hour set at R5 and for 15 parking bays to be assigned to one parking marshal.
A total 85 marshals would be employed.
A second meeting with residents will take place tonight at 6pm at The Granary, Stanley Street, in Richmond Hill.
The aim of this session is to discuss issues that might affect the broader community in the pilot areas.
The post Central paid-parking plan on cards appeared first on HeraldLIVE.