VISITORS will avoid coming to Wokingham and small businesses could be forced to close if the council scraps free overnight and bank holiday parking.
News that Wokingham Borough Council is considering introducing a £1 charge for visitors using the borough’s car parks outside of normal hours has been met with anger by residents and business owners alike.
The plans, if approved, mean that visitors to big events such as the Woodley Winter Extravaganza and the Wokingham May Fayre will be stung by the car parking charge, bringing an end to years of free parking.
Some residents also fear their roads will be clogged with visitors eager to avoid the charge.
However, the council says the charges are necessary.
Defending the proposal, Cllr John Kaiser, executive member for planning and highways at Wokingham Borough Council (WBC), said the Government’s spending cuts meant there was no alternative.
He said: “We understand people are going to get upset about this, but compared to other nearby councils we’ve hung on as long as possible before introducing overnight charges. But we simply cannot afford to run free car parks in this current climate.
“If they are to survive our car parks must become more self-sufficient. These new charges have been set with best value for local people very much in mind.”
But the organisation that works with Wokingham town centre retailers said they couldn’t support the proposals as they stand.
Stan Hetherington, speaking on behalf of Wokingham Town Team, told The Wokingham Paper: “Our aim and that of both the Town and Borough Council is to encourage people to use their town centre more.
“Pricing, location and ease of use of car parks are factors which influences people when deciding which Town to visit. Wokingham Town Team believes that car parking charges should reflect this key aim.
“Wokingham is seeking to be an 18-hour-a-day town and it should have a car parking policy which reflects this aim. We believe that a standard fee across all car parks is not a sensible use of resources.
“We would like to know what measure the council will be bringing in to ensure that on street parking (i.e. resident’s bays and time restricted areas) restrictions are enforced. Whilst on street parking is a Police matter will the Borough Council be funding extra Police Officers?
“As this proposal stands in isolation of any plans to improve the attractiveness of our Town and its car parks the Town Team is unable to support this proposal and we encourage the Borough Council to have a holistic approach towards our Town.”
The plans have also been slated by Wokingham’s Labour party. Spokesperson Andy Croy told The Wokingham Paper: “The Tories have to pay for councillors’ pay rises somehow and I guess this will cover it.
“The Tories are sending out the wrong message – we either want people to come shopping in the town centre or we don’t. Footfall for the town’s traders may be reduced by the loss of free parking. The overnight charges are just petty.
“Tory Government cuts to council funding have pushed the council to stick their hands even further down the back of our collective sofa. The richest borough in the country has to charge a quid for parking? Something has gone very wrong with our financial management.”
The consultation runs until February 5. To have your say, visit www.wokingham.gov.uk/consultations
