Drivers will soon pay more to park at Norfolk's beaches
There is some relief for locals, as the new costs are lower than the maximum first proposed
Drivers visiting some of Norfolk’s most popular beaches and coastal destinations will soon have to pay more after a council agreed to progress with its plans to hike fees.
North Norfolk District Council cabinet members have voted to proceed with the higher fees, which will affect visitors to places like Cromer, Sheringham, Mundesley and Stalham.
However, there is some relief for locals, as the new costs are lower than the maximum first proposed.
The Liberal Democrat-controlled authority plans to hike car park fees the most at coastal tourist spots – going up by 30p per hour – while resort car parks will rise by 20p.
Standard car parks in towns like Fakenham will see a smaller rise of just 10p an hour.
Meanwhile, season ticket prices will rise by 33% and coaches can expect to pay £2.50 per hour or £13 for 24 hours.
There had been calls for the coastal beaches to bear the brunt of the price increases, which would put more of the burden on visitors from outside the district rather than locals.
However, Lucy Shires, cabinet member for finance, estates and property services, said that spreading the increases across the car parks would be a “fairer” deal.
Mundesley’s car park has also been designated as a resort car park, meaning it will avoid the highest rate of 30p per hour for coastal destinations.
Evening or seasonal charges will not be introduced at this time and it was agreed that car parking fees should be reviewed on an annual basis.
A final decision on the car park fee increases will be made at a forthcoming full council meeting.
Raising car park fees is one of several measures NNDC is considering to generate extra cash and savings, which also includes shutting some of its public toilets fully or over the winter months.