AN INNOVATIVE parking scheme designed to encourage visitors to stay in the Yorkshire Dales and Richmondshire has seen ticket sales soar by more than 200 per cent.

Last year, Richmondshire District Council joined forces with the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority to launch a single, easy-to-use weekly ticket. The move was prompted by a review of car parks, which recommended the idea and the National Park Authority was equally keen to get involved.

The scheme has worked really well and provides a great opportunity and incentive for the public to experience and enjoy the National
Park

Jon Avison - YDNPA

For just £10, motorists can park in any of the 22 pay and display car parks anywhere in the Richmondshire or National Park areas for an entire week. The aim is to try to keep visitors in the area, benefiting local businesses and tourist attractions whilst at the same time providing visitors with an improved service.

Before the new ticket was introduced, Richmondshire sold about 90 weekly tickets per year, valid in Richmondshire car parks alone. But less than a year after the new ticket, the two authorities combined have already sold more than 300.

Councillor Mick Griffiths, Richmondshire District Council’s spokesperson for Green Living, said: “We are delighted that the new weekly tickets have proved so popular. We are hoping to build on this success by freezing the price at £10 for 2009, and making the tickets even more widely available – through our Tourist Information Centres, for example.”

Jon Avison, the YDNPA’s Head of Park Management, said: “The scheme has worked really well and provides a great opportunity and incentive for the public to experience and enjoy the National Park, at the same time encouraging people to stay in the area and visit our local towns.

“We look forward to working together with Richmondshire again and we will look for other opportunities to collaborate with our neighbouring authorities.”