Controversial plans to make Kent’s most expensive council car parks even pricier have been scrapped following a public backlash.
Canterbury City Council (CCC) was set to increase tariffs at its “premium” sites to £3.80 an hour – despite most already being hit with a hefty rise just nine months ago.
But after much opposition to the move, it has u-turned on the proposals and is set to freeze the prices in April’s new budget.
The move has been made possible by some unexpected funding that will cover the extra revenue that would have been made if the charges had gone up.
It will come as a relief to traders still reeling from last year’s hikes, which saw some Band One car parks – the district’s most expensive – increase to £3.70 an hour from as little as £1.60.
When further rises were proposed in October, Anthony Bunger, the regional manager for Curzon Cinemas, said the business might not survive, revealing the 2024 price hikes had sparked a 50% drop in admissions.
But businesses and motorists alike have been given a reprieve following a decision to ditch the plans.
Richard Moore, CCC’s officer in charge of transport, explained at a recent meeting of its overview committee: “In essence, what we’re looking to do is not implement the item that would have increased the headline rate in our premium, Band One car parks, which would have gone up 10p.”
He explained CCC is due additional money from the government’s Extended Producer Responsibility Fund, which the government gives to authorities to help fund waste collection and disposal.
However, that funding more than covers the council’s expansion plans for Canenco – its bin collection firm – and it is allowed to use the remaining cash for other projects, such as parking.
Mr Moore continued: “The reason for that concession is that if you look at the number of objections, a considerable number of people were concerned about the impact of that change – particularly on businesses.
“The perception was although it’s only a 10p increase, that headline rate going up would have discouraged even more people from coming into our towns and city centres.”
At the meeting, opposition leader Cllr Rachel Carnac (Con) said: “I’m pleased that we found a way not to have to increase parking charges this year.”
“I think this year is going to be a really difficult year for businesses.”
Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Alex Ricketts (Lib Dem) cabinet member for transport, explained that there has been “an overall improvement in council finances”.
KentOnline reported in December that CCC was predicting to make an extra £268,000 on parking this financial year, over and above the £11 million it was already expecting.
“This has allowed us to do something much bigger, which is to drop the 10p raise in Band One,” Cllr Ricketts continued.
“I’ve said in the past I don’t want to put parking prices up, and I think this demonstrates that if we don’t have to, we won’t.”
Cllr Ricketts added that the proposed hike was going to be exclusively for Band One car parks, as the council’s parking strategy intends to push people towards cheaper ones outside of city and town centres.
Lisa Carlson – the CEO of Canterbury Business Improvement District (BID) – said: “We are delighted that Canterbury City Council will not be proceeding with their planned 10p increase to Band One car parks this year.
“We, alongside many members of the city centre business community, have been lobbying against the increases for some time.
“Our businesses are suffering from increasing costs (utilities and supply chain) and will see additional costs this April with the increase in National Insurance and the minimum wage.
“We need to protect businesses and employment in the city and this is a sign that the council is listening.”
The car park at the Riverside complex is also set to drop in price – from £2.70 to £1.90 – which Mr Moore told the committee was to “encourage use and help the businesses there”.
Two car parks will still become pricier, however, with North Lane and Castle Row’s bays increasing from £2.70 an hour to £3.70 as they are moved into Band One.
This is intended to encourage motorists to frequent the under-used, cheaper car parks nearby at Station Road West and the Castle Street multi-storey.
Last year, School Lane car park in Herne jumped in price from £2.20 a day up to £15 when the council hiked rates across the board, sparking a petition of more than 1,700 signatures in opposition to it.
But from April 1, it will be moved into Band Five, with a maximum fee of £1.60 a day on weekdays and double that on weekends and bank holidays – cheaper than it was before.
CCC is also releasing an annual permit for frequent users of its three Park & Ride sites – at a cost of £50 a month, or £40 a month at the discounted rate for residents.
All of the proposed changes will take place from April 1 this year if the budget is signed off later this month.
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