Hereford Richmond Place Club reports rise in motorists using its car park

The Richmond Place Club has reported a rise in drivers parking at its Edgar Street base since Herefordshire Council increased prices at a number of city centre car parks on Monday.

The club, which has always allowed non-members to park on its grounds, charges £2 each day.

"We had five calls one morning," said Sue Stoker, the club's assistant secretary.

"They were all panicking about where they would park their cars.

"There's been a huge increase in people parking here.

"Some days we haven't been able to get in [the car park] ourselves.

"Before the charges came in, we would have about five people parking here. Now, there's often only a couple of spare spaces."

Club secretary Les Walker said the club is happy to accommodate members of the public, but says priority would be given to club members, particularly those with mobility issues.

"We will try to accommodate everyone as best as we can," he said.

One private residential property further along Edgar Street is also advertising parking on its drive at £12.30 per week.

By contrast, the Merton Meadow car park, across the road from the Richmond Place Club, has been deserted after daily charges rose from £3 to £5.

As previously reported by the Hereford Times, motorists face an eye-watering £13 charge if they want to leave their vehicle for the day in any one of four Hereford car parks.

The new charges have come into force at the Gaol Street, West Street and Maylord Orchards car parks, plus the Shirehall on Saturday's, and apply to those wishing to leave their car for more than six hours.

The Herefordshire Council overhaul of car park charges affects more than 40 council-operated sites in total across Hereford, Ledbury, Leominster and Ross-on-Wye.

Cabinet member for transport and roads, Cllr Paul Rone, has said the changes are aimed at "maintaining economic prosperity, changing travel behaviours and reducing congestion during the morning commute".