Public car parking provision in town and city centres

Of critical importance to the supply of public car parking facilities is the type of parking to be provided. Within town and city centres in particular it is essential that sufficient short-stay public parking facilities are available to maintain economic vitality and viability and to allow them to compete with new out-of-centre developments. An ever-increasing supply of car parking spaces solely serving long-stay commuter demand in such locations on the other hand can act as an impediment to economic growth by contributing to increased congestion and the erosion of environmental quality.