Lib Dems condemn rises in car parking charges

Conservative plans to introduce a 33% increase (£3.00 to £4.00) in car parking charges for residents and workers who want to park for up to five hours in Brentwood's William Hunter Way and the Coptfold Road Multi Storey Car Parks were roundly condemned by the Liberal Democrats at Tuesday night's Highways Panel meeting.

The proposals that were railroaded through by the Conservative majority included the following:

• 14% increase (70p to 80p) in the cost of parking for up to 1 hour in any of the borough' off-street car parks.
• 18% increase (£8.50 to £10.00) in the cost of parking for over 6 hours in William Hunter Way and the Coptfold Road Multi Storey Car Parks.
• Between 6% - 11% increase in the cost of a car park season tickets in Westbury Road, Coptfold Road, Hunter Avenue, Friars Avenue and William Hunter Way.
• Between 6% - 12% increase in the cost of on-street Business Permits in Warley and Ingatestone.

Liberal Democrat Leader Cllr David Kendall said:

"These increases will hit local retailers, businesses and residents very hard. Many people who live and work in Brentwood have to use their cars to get into the town because of the unreliable public transport links and they are now going to be penalised at a time when they need the council's support the most.

"The council is already seeing a drop in demand for car park season tickets at the existing prices so when the new increases come in the situation is liable to get even worse.

"We suggested to the members of the Highways Panel that car parking charges should be frozen for this year, but sadly our call was rejected by the Conservative majority".