PLANS to introduce parking fees in borough car parks at evenings, weekends and bank holidays have been strongly criticised by The Wokingham Society.
The group has written to Wokingham Borough Council outlining its opposition to a £1 charge being introduced from April. It says any charge would damage the local economy and could damage the town centre’s regeneration project.
It also expressed concerns over the council’s claim that the fee would bring its car parks in line with other local councils.
Peter Must, chairman of the group which is dedicated to combatting “thoughtless development”, said: “While we appreciate the difficult financial circumstances which the council faces in the light of successive cuts in central Government grant, we are convinced that this is not an appropriate measure to increase income to the council.”
He added: “Contrary to claims of direct comparison with other local centres which are said to have such charges already, parking is free at the affected times to those in Windsor and Maidenhead who have a free Advantage card; in specified car parks in Henley and also in Marlow, which additionally has a number of free car parks.
“Thus people in this wider area will have a good reason to avoid Wokingham Borough and go to these other centres for their retail and leisure activities in the evenings and on Sundays.”
The Society also has safety concerns for people needing to buy a ticket in the dark.
Mr Must said: “There is a safety risk to people on their own, especially single females, in having to leave their cars to find and feed a meter.
“They may well be deterred from coming into town and would thus feel excluded from the retail and social facilities otherwise on offer to them.”
And Wokingham’s famous street fayres – in May and November – could also be affected by plans to introduce parking charges on bank holidays.
The Society said: “The Bank Holiday charge would adversely affect the festivals and carnivals local people work so hard to run for the benefit and enjoyment of the local community.”
The plan has also been slated by Wokingham Labour.
Party spokesperson Andy Croy said: “These parking charges are the thin end of a very long an thick wedge.
“First they will charge £1, because it’s only £1. Next it will be £1.50, because it is only 50p more. Then it will be £2.50… because people are already used to paying.
“Then it will be £3.50 because that was the plan all along. And all because we allowed them to get away with ‘just’ a £1.
“Having said that, the councillors do need to fund their pay rises. It’s a tragedy that the richest borough in the country is reduced to trying to fund itself off the back of parking fees”
Cllr John Kaiser, executive member for planning and highways, said: “The consultation closes on February 5 and so far we have received many comments and views. Once the consultation ends we will consider them in detail before a final decision is made on February 16.”
Today is the last day of the consultation. Comments can be made via the borough council’s website.
