Parking charge increases in East Suffolk to be formally challenged
Car parking charges are currently set to increase in April for the first time since 2020
The decision to increase parking charges across East Suffolk will be formally challenged.
Earlier this month, cabinet members at East Suffolk Council agreed to increase car parking charges from the beginning of April for the first time since 2020.
The changes included hiking prices for two-hour sessions from £1.50 to £2, for four-hour sessions from £3 to £3.50 and 10-hour sessions from £4 to £5.
The council said these, alongside new seasonal tariffs at car parks in popular tourist destinations, were necessary as a result of ‘significant pressures on funding’.
The extra income would allow the authority to invest £1 million in chargeable car parks by replacing pay and display machines, installing clearer signage and improving facilities for active travel.
However, Cllrs Mark Jepson and Alan Green, Conservative and Labour opposition members, decided to call the decision in — a formal challenge of the proposals.
They criticised the increases, specifically in coastal towns, as unreasonable and based on insufficient consultation.
Both councillors argued the increases would have a a negative impact on businesses and visitors were more likely to look for parking in nearby residential areas.
These criticisms are due to be presented and debated during a meeting of the overview and scrutiny committee on Thursday evening.
The council report states even with the increases to seasonal parking charges, East Suffolk’s prices would still be 40 per cent lower than comparable areas locally as well as other coastal towns, and argues it will not have an impact on footfall.
The extra cost would allow the authority to cash in on periods of increased traffic, with demand across June, July, and August increasing by as much as 95 per cent than the annual average.
In turn, the council would continue its 30-minute free policy in town centre car parks, which costs around £500,000 per year — were these to be charged, the council could generate around £1.5 million in income.
Under the proposals, monthly passes would increase from £65 to £80 and annual permits would go from £350 to £425.