[S]outh Lakeland District Council is going on the road to get the views of as many of its off-street car park users as possible.
From Monday 26 June roadshows will be held in council-run car parks where motorists will be invited to complete a simple questionnaire.
In the hope of targeting as many people as possible the survey will also be available online.
Councillor Graham Vincent, SLDC’s Portfolio Holder for the Economy, said: “We want motorists to park up and speak out. The idea of the survey is to get as much feedback as possible. We want to know what motorists think of our off-street parking and what we need to do to improve it. This will help us to focus on the wider customer experience and also enable us to look at some specific issues, such as how parking services can better support businesses and the local economy.”
The council last carried out a survey and review of its off-street parking in 2013 when more than 1,000 people responded.
As part of the new survey motorists will be asked a series of questions about where and when they park, why and for how long. The questionnaire will also ask how they usually pay for parking, inviting comments and suggestions for how services can be improved.
“The answers to those questions will have a direct impact on the way we run more than 40 off-street car parks now and in the future. Once we have a wider picture we’ll be able to take a fresh look at issues such as how parking permits are being used, whether we should be more imaginative with our tariff system and the introduction of new technology,” added Cllr Vincent.
For motorists who miss the car park roadshows, questionnaires will be sent out to all local parish councils and be available from the reception at SLDC’s offices at South Lakeland House in Lowther Street, Kendal.
Motorists who wish to take part in the survey online can do so from Monday 26 June at www.southlakeland.gov.uk/parkingsurvey
The survey will last 10 weeks and end on 4 September.
