Fears raised over parking fee hikes and charges at free car parks in Woodley and the neighbouring towns and villages.
Woodley and the suburbs of Earley and Shinfield are part of Wokingham Borough Council, which is considering raising charges at car parks.
The prospect of increasing charges has been met with concern by neighbours, who will ask questions about new fees at the full council meeting this week.
The questions will be directed to councillor Adrian Betteridge (Liberal Democrats, Barkham & Arborfield), the executive member for active travel, highways and transport.
Yusra Salman will ask: “Given the Woodley precinct is a key retail hub for the residents in Woodley, the justification for the parking charges has been cited as ‘managing demand’.
“What specific demand management problem was this policy designed to solve, and can the executive member provide a breakdown of how the revenue generated is a ring-fenced for reinvestment into Woodley precinct infrastructure?”
Funds raised through parking charges can be reinvested in maintaining the car parks.
Surpluses raised from car parks can be reinvested in traffic and parking management, road safety, public transport, or other public services like street cleaning and public recreation facilities.
The Headley Road car park for the precinct has 205 parking spaces, four electric vehicle charging points and 15 disabled spaces.
The council is also considering introducing charges at car parks that are currently free.
A question by cllr Rebecca Margetts (Conservative, Finchampstead) implies that new charges could be introduced as part of the council’s draft medium term financial plan.
This could affect free car parks in Shinfield, such as those at School Green, Langley Mead and May’s Farm Meadows.
Cllr Andrew Gray (Labour, Shinfield) will ask cllr Betteridge: “At the March full council meeting, we debated a petition signed by more than 2,000 residents opposed to introducing charges in car parks including those that serve local shops and community facilities, such as School Green.
“Despite cross party support, we now learn that charges are being planned.
“What do you say to Shinfield residents who regularly use the School Green centre for toddler groups, youth clubs, the low-cost cinema, and other community meetings?”
The School Green car park has 40 spaces, one of which is for a disabled blue badge holder.
These questions will be asked at the full meeting of Wokingham Borough Council on Thursday, November 27.
At a previous meeting in March, cllr Nagi Nagella (Labour, Norreys) submitted a petition in excess of 1,500 signatures calling for parking to stay free at selected car parks.
Cllr Prue Bray (Liberal Democrats, Winnersh), the deputy leader of the council, amended the motion, which stated that smaller car parks that serve local shops and community facilities should remain free to use, including School Green.
This amended motion was passed at the meeting.
