00:00If you've parked in Liverpool's city centre recently, you may already know the rules have
00:04changed.
00:05After years of debate, and despite almost 90% of respondents opposing the idea during
00:10consultation, the city now requires drivers to pay for parking until 11 at night.
00:16And the impact has been immediate, with new figures confirming more than 7,000 people
00:20were fined in the first three months of enforcement.
00:24The data was released through a Freedom of Information request.
00:27It shows that between August and October, the highest number of fines were issued on Hope
00:32Street, where 385 drivers received penalty notices.
00:38Business owners there said they're frustrated by the change, saying it's caused a noticeable
00:43drop in pre-theatre customers.
00:45The next most affected areas were Duke Street, where 378 motorists were fined, and Old Hall
00:51Street with 264 penalties.
00:55Customers can no longer leave their cars free of charge on city streets after 6 in the evening,
01:00following the upgrade of signs and pay and display machines across the controlled parking
01:04zone.
01:05Liverpool's City Council says the overhaul was necessary to respond to growth in the city
01:10centre and an expanding night-time economy.
01:13In a statement, the Council said the changes are intended to reduce congestion, improve
01:18safety and support bet-over turnover of spaces for residents, businesses and visitors.
01:24Revenues from enforcement are expected to reach almost ÂŁ240,000 until parking behaviour adjusts.
01:31And the Council said the running costs are covered by existing budgets.
01:35For drivers, businesses and the Council, the coming months may show whether the new system
01:41settles in or whether the debate continues.
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