The new parking rules that have been in force in the center of Oss since last October are being overhauled again. The adjusted parking policy, which meant that visitors had to pay more money and, above all, for a much longer time, led to a lot of criticism from residents and entrepreneurs. A majority of the municipal council is now ensuring that the new parking policy is adjusted again.
A majority of the council will present a motion during the council meeting on Thursday to adjust the parking policy again. The mayor and aldermen are, according to Dtv News The motion calls for three concrete adjustments to be made before the summer.
These adjustments are that paid parking must stop at eight o’clock in the evening instead of ten o’clock, a maximum daily rate of 6 euros must apply to all car parks and parking garages, and the same rate of 2 euros per hour must apply everywhere for on-street parking, with no maximum daily rate.
Less parking in the center
With the amended parking rules in October, the municipal council wanted to ensure that fewer people park their cars in the center. Parking costs are therefore higher for people who leave their car in and around the center for more than half an hour.
The municipality hoped that long-term parkers would go to a parking garage on the edge of the center, among other places. The daily rate has increased from 4 to 6 euros. In addition, the times have also been adjusted: from now on, paid parking no longer applies until six, but until ten o’clock in the evening.
Criticism from entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurs in particular were critical: they saw their turnover drop because fewer people came to shop, or shoppers stayed in the center for a shorter time. According to the municipality, the new parking policy was introduced to create more space for cyclists, pedestrians and greenery.
Councilor Sidney van den Bergh, partly responsible for the adjusted parking policy, understands the city council’s intervention. “Oss is growing and has strong ambitions. A future-proof parking policy is part of this. The motion supports these ambitions and, as a councilor and Ossen resident, I also see that there are questions and concerns about parking. If a pass on the spot helps to increase support, then that is a sensible and good thing to do.”
