Mengham traders blast car parking rise
PARKING charges are set to rise by as much as 50 per cent in a bid to rake in nearly £250,000 for Havant Borough Council.
The council's cabinet voted to hike up charges in all 18 of its town centre car parks in Hayling Island, Havant, Leigh Park, Waterlooville and Emsworth.
In 16 of those car parks, the charge for up to two hours is set to go up from 1 to 1.50 from next April.
The council, which operates more than 1,000 town centre spaces, hopes the increase will rake in an extra 240,000 for its coffers.
But high street traders hit out at the decision, which is part of a parking review across the borough rubber stamped by the full council before Christmas.
Marie Telford, who owns Hayling Island Bookshop and who is vice-chairman of Mengham Traders' Association, said: "Clearly it's another backward step in terms of encouraging local high streets and local businesses which are big employers.
"We know it's an important revenue stream for the council, but there has to be a balance. It needs to be an attractive rate for people to shop locally.
"Traders have said since the last rise they have noticed fewer people wanting to park and shop."
The council was initially planning to increase the charge by 20p from 1 to 1.20, with an increase to 1.50 in 2011.
But the 2011 charges have been brought forward a year early in order to balance the council's books.
An hour's stay, however, will only go up 10p from 60p to 70p.
Council leader Tony Briggs said: "We are still suffering financially, and quite clearly we have to increase our income.
"The council, even back to last year's budget, agreed we should be working towards no increase in local taxation, and if we are going to achieve that we must increase our income.
"We are looking to save 2.25million over the next three years."
He added: "Most areas across the borough have some sort of free parking.
"There are more free car parks in Havant town centre than there are charged car parks.
"In terms of the small shopkeeper, I would say we do supply on-street and free parking in most smaller shopping areas."
As part of the review, a proposal to introduce on-street charging from 2011 has been scrapped.
Cllr Briggs added: "In the present economic situation it's probably not the most economically sustainable thing to be doing."
The council has also decided not to introduce discounts on annual car parking permits for drivers who own green-friendly cars.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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