| NEWS |  | | | | | | | | | EAGLE EYE NEWS | | | | BIZARRE LONDON | | | | |
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NCP refuses to talk about car park fees
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| None the wiser: Reporter Kirsty Whalley was told nobody from NCP was available to talk to her |
Car park firm NCP has arranged a meeting with Croydon Council to discuss concerns over its latest hike in parking charges - but has still not explained why it is increasing prices for the fourth time in three years.
In a last-ditch attempt to get some answers from NCP, the Croydon Guardian visited its offices in the Whitgift Centre and asked for an explanation.
We were told there was no one available to speak to us before we were booted out of the building none the wiser.
In some car parks the price will rise by 15 per cent. With inflation at three per cent and the economic outlook predicting harder times ahead, the council said it considered the rises excessive.
NCP took control of five of the town's car parks in 2005 and has presided over a series of price hikes. In direct contrast, the council recently said it would freeze charges for on-street pay-and-display bays and surface car parks.
| "This move isn’t going to help local businesses who are already feeling the pinch of the economic downturn.” | | Councillor Phil Thomas |
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Councillor Phil Thomas, who demanded a meeting with NCP, raised concerns about how the parking increases would affect Croydon residents visiting the town centre.
He said: "It may well convince them to stay at home or take their business elsewhere. This move isn't going to help local businesses who are already feeling the pinch of the economic downturn."
An NCP spokesman said: "We are aware of the concerns raised by Croydon Council in relation to our tariff rises.
"NCP contracted Coun Thomas last week to arrange a meeting with Croydon Council to discuss the concerns raised."
2:45pm Wednesday 14th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: David, Croydon on 4:56pm Wed 14 May 08
I'd guess that they analysed the potential increases. They looked at the expected reduction in use of the NCP controlled car parks as a result of the price hikes to ensure overall income would increase. Thus, they won't care about reduced numbers, as long as their income is up. A perfect example of a company that only thinks about itself. They rely on the shops to bring people to Croydon to use their car parks (many are possibly workers in the shops). If they aren't careful there won't be any shops soon, and then they will have no income at all....
I'd guess that they analysed the potential increases. They looked at the expected reduction in use of the NCP controlled car parks as a result of the price hikes to ensure overall income would increase. Thus, they won't care about reduced numbers, as long as their income is up. A perfect example of a company that only thinks about itself. They rely on the shops to bring people to Croydon to use their car parks (many are possibly workers in the shops). If they aren't careful there won't be any shops soon, and then they will have no income at all....
Posted by: ANNE GILES, SELSDON on 5:04pm Wed 14 May 08
The manager of NCP never replies to e-mails and refuses to remove the graffiti in the car parks as well.
The manager of NCP never replies to e-mails and refuses to remove the graffiti in the car parks as well.
Posted by: Andrew, Cr0 on 5:16pm Wed 14 May 08
The question is what moron or morons at Croydon Council allowed the car parks to be sold off on the cheap to this private PLC. NCP are only interested in profit, you only need to check out their prices at airports. Another crazy location is Brighton I think the NCP there is 6 quid an hour!! It would have been far better to retain the car parks for the benefit of the people of Croydon or if they were sold was an agreement not made that would limit prices increases to inflation? Answer because Croydon council would have been paid millions less although the money they received was way below true market value anyway
The question is what moron or morons at Croydon Council allowed the car parks to be sold off on the cheap to this private PLC. NCP are only interested in profit, you only need to check out their prices at airports. Another crazy location is Brighton I think the NCP there is 6 quid an hour!! It would have been far better to retain the car parks for the benefit of the people of Croydon or if they were sold was an agreement not made that would limit prices increases to inflation? Answer because Croydon council would have been paid millions less although the money they received was way below true market value anyway
Posted by: Arfur Towcrate, Staffycher on 7:01pm Wed 14 May 08
What NCP do with their car parks is their business - you would have thought the Tories would recognise this and respect market forces. The more NCP charge, the less that drivers will use their facilities - and vice-versa. If you don't like it, park somewhere else - or don't drive into Croydon.
What NCP do with their car parks is their business - you would have thought the Tories would recognise this and respect market forces. The more NCP charge, the less that drivers will use their facilities - and vice-versa. If you don't like it, park somewhere else - or don't drive into Croydon.
Posted by: Bob Peel, Croydon on 7:21am Thu 15 May 08
I don't have a car :)
Posted by: ANNE GILES, SELSDON on 9:09am Thu 15 May 08
Oh, dear, Bob - would you like a lift in mine???:)
Oh, dear, Bob - would you like a lift in mine???:)
Posted by: Bob Peel, Croydon on 11:27pm Sat 17 May 08
[quote][bold]ANNE GILES[/bold] wrote:
Oh, dear, Bob - would you like a lift in mine???:)[/quote] That's very kind - thank you!
ANNE GILES wrote:
Oh, dear, Bob - would you like a lift in mine???:)
That's very kind - thank you!
Posted by: ANNE GILES, SELSDON on 4:26pm Sun 18 May 08
It's a Nissan Qashquai - lovely vehicle!
It's a Nissan Qashquai - lovely vehicle!
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