Residents of a Kent town have complained over a ‘ridiculous’ parking charge increase, which has seen the day rate of one car park rise by almost 600%. Canterbury City Council increased the fees at its School Lane car park in Herne Bay from £2.20 to £15 in April.
Herne and Broomfield Parish Council, who called the increase ‘ridiculous’, have since launched a petition which has gained more than 1,280 signatures. According to the parish council, the price hike impacts both residents and visitors to the area who want to access the local pubs, shops, dentist and church.
Alex Ricketts, Canterbury’s cabinet member for transport, said that School Lane was one of the cheapest car parks in the district. He added that the council plans to consider the impact of the increase in the autumn when its parking charges are reviewed.
This comes after councils across the country raised car parking charges earlier this year. In April, it was reported that some local councils would increase prices by as much as 60%.
Motorists in Harrogate may have seen fees rise by as much as 20%, while those under Kirklees council in West Yorkshire (including Huddersfield, Holmfirth and Dewsbury) may have noticed a 60% increase.
Charges were also expected to jump by as much as 30% in East Grinstead in West Sussex and by 29% in Shrewsbury, Shropshire. In 2023, drivers paid out almost £2 billion in car parking spaces run by councils, with £1.93 billion paid in fees and fines in the year to April 2023.
The Local Government Association, representing councils in England and Wales, said: “Income raised through parking charges is spent on running parking services. Any surplus is spent on essential transport projects, including fixing the £16 billion road repairs backlog, reducing congestion, tackling poor air quality and supporting local bus services.
“Motorists can avoid fines by ensuring they observe parking and traffic rules that are only there to help all drivers get around and find parking safely, smoothly and fairly.”
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