WOKINGHAM Borough Council has unveiled proposals to more than double parking charges in the borough.
The plans, shown in an official council document, are being recommended for approval by council officers ahead of an executive meeting next Thursday, September 29.
If approved, it would also see charging hours extended from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday inclusive, to 6am to 10pm, Monday to Sunday inclusive.
Currently, up to one hour parking costs 80p, this will increase to £1.30.
Up to two hours will rise from £1.20 to £2.50, up to four hours will climb from £2 to £4.50.
Drivers parking for up to six hours will be charged £6.50, up from £3, and over six hours will increase from £4 to £9.
The evening rate will remain free of charge but will apply from 10pm to 6am.
Season tickets will also be impacted.
Annual season tickets will rise from £900.68 to £2,026, a 124.9% increase.
Half-year tickets will go from £450.34 to £1,013 with a quarterly ticket costing £506.50, up from the current charge of £240.35.
Monthly tickets will also more than double from £82.23 to £168.50
If approved, it would see off street parking rates increase for the first time since 2018 as the council looks to tackle financial pressures caused by inflation.
Officers expect the proposal to generate an additional £591,000 of revenue based on post covid levels of parking usage.
Current usage remains below pre-covid levels but is expected to recover further in 2023/24.
The report states: “Current predictions for 22/23 estimate a loss of income of between £0.6m and £0.8m and although it is hoped that parking usage will increase over time, there is no guarantee as the ‘new hybrid ways of working’ for many people does not appear to be showing any signs of reverting back to a pre-pandemic position.
“This is a significant drop in income and the proposal detailed within this report is primarily to address the shortfall to ensure we can sustain highway services that the residents of the borough have benefited over the last few years.”
The report also adds that, even with the proposed increases, parking costs will remain at the “lower end” compared with other local authorities
It is estimated by officers that the earliest implementation date would be January 2023.
