THE first on-street parking charges on roads in Hereford are expected to be introduced soon – despite public opposition to the fees.

Drivers can currently park for free – for a limited time – in a number of streets across the city centre.

But a report approved by Herefordshire Council’s cabinet today claims on-street parking is essential to improve traffic flows around the city centre.

Aubrey Street, Bridge Street, Broad Street, Gaol Street, Harrison Street, King Street, St John Street and St Owen Street – west of its Bath Street junction – are the roads earmarked for the new parking charges.

It means drivers will find very little – if any – free spaces near the city centre, especially in light of the arrival of residents’ parking schemes in areas such as St James and Portfields, while moves are also being made to create further parking schemes west of Edgar Street in Moorfields.

The Hereford Times revealed last year that the local authority was considering the introduction of on-street parking.

The news was greeted with dismay from many traders, worried that forcing customers to pay for a short visit would have a detrimental impact on business.

Herefordshire Council held various public consultation events and received hundreds of responses about the proposed parking charges.

And the vast majority – 66 per cent of respondents – disagreed with their implementation.

The amount motorists will be expected to pay to park on the city centre streets has not yet been finalised.

The charges form part of a £500,000 plan to improve Hereford city centre.

Also included are plans for a two-way cycle lane on St Owen Street, which is also expected to be discussed by councillors today.

Another part of the measures approved today was for an upgrade of Hereford City Centre.

Balfour Beatty Living Places on behalf of Herefordshire Council will be carrying out refurbishment works in earnest on the High Street area of High Town from early August with neighbouring traders kept informed of progress throughout the works.

The work is the first phase of a refurbishment project that will see the look of the Old Market and Widemarsh Street extended through to the high town area providing an enhanced walking and cycling environment. 

Councillor Paul Rone, cabinet member highways and transport said:

“This project is key to the success of the city as a regional shopping destination, with longer term plans to improve Commercial Road and Blueschool Street, it will further enhance the city as an attractive and easily accessible destination for visitors and shoppers.

"Hereford has never looked as positive and vibrant as it does today and we need to build on the successes of the last few years and continue to support existing retails and continue to attract new trades to ensure Hereford is a regional shopping destination of choice.

"We want to promote walking and cycling as the travel modes of choice in the city, and are considering ways we can fine tune parking provision, through possible implementation of on-street parking charges and enhancing residents’ parking in selected key locations. ”