New plans will up parking fees

9:58am Friday 5th July 2002

Croydon Council has been accused of hiking parking charges in the borough's car parks and residents' bays to help make up a £12million short-fall in their budget.

Councillors approved a review of parking charges and car park investment programme at a Cabinet meeting on Monday, stating it aims to reduce congestion and persuade drivers to switch to public transport.

Increases in town and district centre car park charges, on-street parking, resident and business permits, and extended hours of controlled parking in the town centre were all agreed.

The changes, which will come into effect from August 12, are expected to generate over £1.5million extra revenue between August 2002 and March 2003.

Cllr Gavin Barwell, Conservative spokesman on parking, attacked the plan: "The report made it clear that the rationale for these increases is to balance the Council's budget. They have nothing to do with protecting the environment and no thought has been given to the effect they will have on our town and district centres. Labour have mismanaged the Council's finances and motorists and local businesses are going to pay the price." He added: "Far from encouraging people to use public transport instead of their cars, it will encourage them to drive further to rival shopping centres like Bromley and Sutton where it is much cheaper to park."

Coun Gerry Ryan, Cabinet member for highways, transport and public services rejected those claims: "We are taking a radical step forward in trying to reduce congestion and pollution in Croydon and encourage people onto public transport."

He pointed out that short stay (0 to 2 hours) prices in the town centre had been increased, while longer stays (2-4 hours) were unchanged in line with the views of traders and the town centre management group.

Coun Ryan said: "It is a double edged strategy we are trying to develop: We are trying to encourage shoppers to stay longer in the town centre and get people to use public transport, but if the price of driving is cheaper than public transport, then people are going to use their cars."

Parking charge increses broken down:

o Increases in town centre car park charges, targeting short-stay visitors who park for under two hours. No rise for three/four hour parking.

o District centre car park charges to rise across the board, more sharply for long-stay parking.

o Extended hours of controlled parking around the town centre from 7am to 7pm, from 9am to 5pm, and an increased fee of £4 from £3.

o A rise in evening rates at the Fairfield, Dingwall Road, Wandle Road and Spice Yard pay and display from 90p to £2 on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday, and £3 on other evenings.

o Residents permits will rise from £28 to £35 a year and penalty charges will rise from £60 to £80 throughout central Croydon.

o Business permits will rise to £200 a year from £80 with two permits maximum per business and only one vehicle allowed to be registered per permit.

o A 19 per cent increase in on-street parking charges (fees raised used for road maintenance)