Roffey - STSB would bring in paid parking
PAID parking would be brought in on the Town piers ‘in a heartbeat’ if the president of the States’ Trading Supervisory Board had his way, he told the States yesterday.
Peter Roffey was responding to a question from Deputy Neil Inder, who wondered why the STSB was not charging for parking, given that the ports were losing millions.
Deputy Inder suggested that North Beach, the Crown and Albert Piers, Salerie and the Castle Emplacement could be used to raise revenue.
‘We have looked at those revenue streams with envy, to be honest,’ said the STSB president.
But these areas were not under the committee’s control.
‘If the States gives us control of them we would introduce paid parking on these absolute prime areas of real estate in a heartbeat.’
He had earlier warned members that a policy letter concerning other charges at the ports would be coming before the Assembly later this year, with Guernsey Ports facing a deficit of some £6m. this year, possibly rising to £7.8m. next year.
The committee had started a comprehensive review of revenue and expenditure but this was not just about raising charges, and savings would also be pursued.
In response to a question from Deputy Sasha Kazantseva-Miller about opportunities for income from businesses on the land-side of the terminal, he said that people usually moved through the airport in about an hour, compared to spending several hours at larger airports such as in the UK.
But he accepted that it would be good if this could be maximised and maybe a redesign of the terminal interior would help, but the capital costs would have to be looked at alongside what revenue might be gained.
He hoped members would support any moves that the STSB might call for to help the ports.
‘I shall not prejudge the outcome of the review, but if States members wish to see the ports on a more sound financial footing, then I hope we will have your support when we return to the Assembly by the end of the year with our proposals for fees and charges.’
