PROPOSALS recommended for approval by the Dartmoor National Park Authority when they meet next Friday would see charges at the Haytor, Princetown, Postbridge and Meldon Reservoir car parks increase, while parking charges would be introduced at Shipley Bridge.

The recommendations would see charges rise to £2 for up to three hours and £3 for the full day, rather than the existing £1 and £2 tariffs.

At the Shipley Bridge car park, the proposal would introduce car parking charges of £2 for up to two hours and £4 for all day parking, as part of the new sub lease issues to South West Lakes Limited for the management and maintenance of Shipley Bridge car park and toilets.

The report of the Head of Business Support, Donna Healy, says: ‘It is pleasing to note that income received from all of the car parks was £75,000 in 2018/19 and is anticipated to be the same for 2019/20.’

Members of the authority decided in March 2019 not to increase car parking charges for the 2019/20 financial year, but had asked officers to look into the feasibility of introducing an annual pass or season ticket.

But the report says the take-up of an annual pass or season ticket would not be significant and costs would outweigh any benefits, and a result, increasing tariffs has been revisited.

It added: ‘Car parking charges have not changed since 2013. There is a difficult balance to be struck between providing access and facilities (which cost money) with not putting barriers in place that might prevent access.

‘Car parking charges are currently the only fees (within the Authority’s control) that generate a significant revenue.

‘Car parking charges are providing a fairly substantial and stable income source, which is used to maintain the infrastructure that provides accessibility for the public. The proposed increase in charges for 2020/21 should generate enough income to sustain the current operational, maintenance and repair costs of circa £90,000 a year.’

Contactless payment card readers are also set to be installed into all parking machines and subject to approval by the Authority, car parking charges would increase from April 1, 2020.