North Norfolk authorities vow to crackdown on parking fee loophole
Some people had been able to park down the seafront cheaply
A Norfolk council says it's cracking down on beachgoers exploiting a loophole that has allowed them to park at reduced rates.
North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) is set to increase the cost of a seven-day ticket at 10 car parks across three towns.
The hike is to stop drivers gaming the system and exploiting a flaw where the authority allows anyone with a weekly ticket to park at any of the council’s car parks – even those along the coast where the charge is higher.
Currently, the council charges £24 for a week in Fakenham, North Walsham and Stalham, but £34 in tourist areas, such as Cromer.
Now NNDC’s cabinet is set to agree to level the cost in all areas at a meeting on Monday as part of a review of fees and charges for 2024/25.
A report to the cabinet said: “It has been acknowledged that the seven-day car parking tickets can be used in any of the district’s car parks once purchased.
“This, however, has led to some users purchasing a seven-day ticket at some of the cheaper tariff sites and then using these tickets at higher tariff sites.
“To resolve this, it is now proposed that all seven-day tickets are £34 across all sites as per the current tariff at most locations.”
Other parking charges are being left at their current level for now but face a separate review and could be increased at a later date.
Several other areas are also set for a price increase, with many rising by 8% to match inflation.
One area that will see increases is premises licences, with a new application for a betting shop going up £200 from £2,800, a bingo hall from £3,000 to £3,250 and sexual entertainment venue from £3,342 to £3,609.
Firewood sold at Holt Country Park will also rise from £125 to £135 a bundle and school visits will also increase by £1 per child to £8.