Norfolk officials make changes to its pilot project that would see paid parking enforced near the county’s beaches

After hours of debate, Norfolk County councillors have decided to rework its paid parking pilot project that was set to launch at beaches this summer.

While it was quiet Tuesday, the beaches of Norfolk County are usually packed during the summer months.

The community has told councillors this causes congestion and illegal parking issues.

To solve the problem, Norfolk County was planning to launch a parking pilot project that would allow residents to park free for the first hour, and then they’d be charged six dollars per hour after that at the three beaches.

After much debate councillors made some changes.

In Port Dover, after one hour of free parking, drivers will pay 5 dollars an hour.

In Long Point, it will now cost three dollars an hour.

Turkey Point will not be a part of the parking pilot project, but fines will increase in both Turkey Point as well as Long Point.

Fines for parking in a restricted area will be raised from 75 to 100 dollars and fines for parking for longer than the time restriction will be raised from 35 to 75 dollars.

The original six dollars an hour parking proposal isn’t off the table just yet. It could come back next summer.

Sylvie Lendvay has the details.