Paid parking should be a priority, say campaigners

Barrie Duerden, from Better Journeys Guernsey, said paid parking could help the States raise much-needed revenue

Paid parking "absolutely" has to be a priority of the latest Guernsey deputies, says a campaign group.

Barrie Duerden, from Better Journeys Guernsey, said the money raised could be put towards the mandated £10m that the Environment and Infrastructure committee needs to raise.

All public parking in Guernsey, excluding the airport, is currently free and the plans to introduce payment has split opinion.

Sam Jarrold, from Fukku restaurant, said: "Having an option for paid parking, maybe one of [the piers] being designated for those who want flexibility would be a good thing." However, Lizzy Gerald, co-owner of Wink at One jewellers said she would be "concerned" if paid parking was introduced.

She said she supported the option of paid parking but also found free parking "useful".

"[It's good] for people just popping in, but if you're here in the day time and you want to be here for longer than two hours and don't want to be disrupted by moving your car, it would help to have that option for people," she added.

Mr Duerden said it could be possible to offer free parking for a specific amount of time.

He said: "I can see the case where you have the first hour, first two hours free. You can target these things."

Ms Gerald said small local businesses were "really up against it".

"There's a large amount of people shopping on the internet now and I think there are people who have not been used to paying for parking all their lives," she said.

"Suddenly that is going to prevent them from coming into town, they're going to think 'well I'm not paying that' and I totally understand. So as a retailer, yes I have my concerns because we need people in town.

"But on the flip side, if I wasn't a business owner I would love to have the opportunity to be able to park my car for four hours and not have to run back to it."

Lizzy Gerald, co-owner of Wink at One jewellers, has concerns around paid parking

In 2023, the previous States voted to investigate motoring taxes, including paid parking, as ways of raising more money.

The BBC approached all current deputies to find out their views.

Deputy Tom Rylatt said any case to introduce paid parking would need to be a "very strong one".

"Several islanders I spoke to during the election see it as effectively another form of indirect taxation, so it's important that any proposal is carefully justified," he said.

"Before reaching a final position, I would want to review the available information and revisit previous States debates on the issue.

"However, I think some in the community - myself included - may feel more inclined to support such a policy if its implementation was clearly linked to improvements to our infrastructure, like the east coast redevelopment, that way, those who pay to park can see directly how their contributions are being put to use."

'Lack of spaces'

Deputy Andy Cameron said he was in favour of introducing paid parking as the current system was "unfair".

"I'd like to see it introduced across the island, with clear pricing that encourages turnover in busy areas and supports longer stay options where appropriate," he said.

"Revenue should be ring fenced for better public transport, safer walking and cycling, and maintaining car parks.

"We have frequent complaints about a lack of spaces. Private investment in multi storey parking is unlikely while parking remains free elsewhere, so a consistent user pays approach would help."