LSM+ found out about the initiative "For a Liepaja without paid parking" on Tuesday evening in the social network group of Liepaja residents, two hours after the initiative was registered. At that time, 28 votes had been collected. On Wednesday, shortly after noon, the legally required 400 votes had been collected. However, the number of signatures continues to grow - on Thursday around noon the number of signatures had exceeded 1,300.
Liepaja resident Uldis Akselrods, who is the author of the initiative, told LSM+ that he had not expected such a response. "Once, shortly before 8 pm, I parked my car in the Jūrmala Park area. I was used to the fact that parking was always free. And I got a fine. And I thought - Liepaja is not such a big city that you need paid parking spaces, and they don't solve anything, it doesn't change the flow of cars. I think that planners should think about the drivers and, when reconstructing streets, create parking spaces, not remove them, as has been popular recently. And in the most important places, a time limit of two hours. I hope that this initiative will, if not solve the problem, at least draw attention to it."
In his initiative and in his conversation with the portal, he cited Ventspils as an example of how a city can do without paid parking.
Liepājas autostāvvietas Ltd is responsible for paid parking in Liepaja. Its manager, Armīns Robežnieks, told LSM+ that there are just over 500 paid parking spaces in the city center, and 167 at Jurmala Park, and only during the tourist season - from May 1 to September 30. This is the first year, and the results will be discussed by the Council in October.
Comparing Liepaja with Ventspils is not correct, according to Robežnieks - the neighboring port city has significantly less car traffic, and even during major city festivals you can always find a parking space.
"We have quite a lot of cars even without any festivals. In July, we handled more than 41,000 cars in 40 parking spaces in the center! You can't compare that to Ventspils! Yes, there was a rally in July, but it didn't affect the city center. We need paid parking spaces so that we don't end up with people arriving early in the morning, parking their cars, and leaving in the evening. Charging also allows others to find a space in the city center.
"And it was introduced at Jūrmala Park so that people could park their cars, take their children to practice or to attractions. And the first half hour is free, although you have to register. A lot of people take advantage of this opportunity, and cars are not parked around the clock. The downside is that the nearest 'free' streets are full of parked cars... In October we will discuss everything - the financial side and the demand for free spaces," Armīns Robežnieks said.
The initiative to abolish parking charges will also be considered - in full compliance with the Local Government Act, LSM+ was assured by the City Council.
