The seaside resorts in Poland experience a real siege during the vacation period as well as weekends outside the summertime season. Parking spaces become a scarce commodity, and tourists frequently park in all accessible location, leading to demolition of urban greenery and harm in historical areas. Residents of these towns and local governments call for changes in regulations that let them to introduce parking charges besides on holidays. Currently, according to applicable regulations, only cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants can charge specified fees in specially created areas of paid parking.
Problems of coastal towns
Example of Hel
Hel, 1 of the most popular coastal towns, faces the problem of overcrowded parking. The local government in Hel believes that the current regulations are unfair and favour larger cities at the expense of smaller towns. The president of the City Council of Hel, Marek Chron, has prepared an appeal to the Ministry of Infrastructure to change regulations, which besides supports the Union of Cities and Marine Communities.
- "If larger towns can charge and we can't, that's inequality to the law. Maintaining the infrastructure rests on the shoulders of local governments, and we cannot charge for it as compensation," says Marek Chron in an interview with the Local Government Portal.
Voice of the Union of Cities and Marine Commons
Marcin Makowski, manager of the Union of Cities and Marine Cities, emphasises that for years they have been trying to introduce the anticipation of charging parking fees in smaller towns on weekends and holidays. The current rules let for the creation of paid parking zones only in large cities, which is detrimental to smaller municipalities, which besides gotta keep parking infrastructure and guarantee order.
- "We have been raising the subject for years due to the fact that in larger towns, over 100,000 inhabitants, there are urban areas of paid parking, but they cannot be introduced in smaller towns. We want to introduce paid parking zones in smaller towns outside the hours that apply today, that is besides on weekends and holidays," says Marcin Makowski.
Changes not directed at tourists
Local authorities shall guarantee that the proposed changes are not directed against tourists. Rather, the aim is to improve the situation of residents and to supply funds for the improvement of urban infrastructure. The money from parking charges could be utilized to keep and modernise parking spaces, build fresh parking spaces and defend urban greenery.
- "Moneys from parking fees go to the budget of the city or the municipality and this allows them to develop," says Makowski. “We are expected to have infrastructure at the right level and at the same time we are deprived of sources of income, while larger cities can benefit from this,” adds Marek Chron.
Analysis of the Ministry of Infrastructure
The Ministry of Infrastructure has reported that it is examining the request of the Union of Cities and Marine Cities to amend the rules on parking charges in smaller towns. This is simply a step towards solving a problem that has been affecting seaside resorts and their inhabitants for years.
Consequences for tourists and residents
Benefits for Residents
The introduction of parking charges on weekends and holidays could bring many benefits to residents of coastal towns. First of all, the rotation of parking spaces would increase, making it easier to find free space for both residents and tourists. Additional gross from parking charges could be utilized to make infrastructure and improve the quality of life of residents.
Tourist reactions
The introduction of parking charges on days off can meet mixed reactions of tourists. any may consider this an additional cost of vacation, but most will most likely realize the request for specified measures if they lead to improved infrastructure and accessibility of parking spaces.
Examples from another countries
Germany
W Germany's parking fees are widely used, both in large cities and in smaller tourist destinations. The introduction of parking charges on holidays is simply a standard, which allows for maintaining order and ensuring the rotation of parking spaces.
France
Parking fees are besides applied in France in tourist destinations. In any regions peculiar paid parking zones are introduced on weekends and holidays to minimise problems associated with excessive travel.
Summary
The seaside resorts in Poland are fighting for the right to introduce parking charges on weekends and holidays, which aims to improve the parking situation and supply additional resources for infrastructure development. The current government favours larger cities, which is detrimental to smaller towns, which besides gotta deal with a immense influx of tourists. Local governments and organisations specified as the Union of Cities and Marine Municipalitys call for changes that let for fairer and more efficient parking management. The introduction of specified fees could benefit both residents and tourists, improving the quality of life in seaside resorts.
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The seaside resorts want to introduce fresh fees. We'll pay more for your stay.
