CCC's draft 2024/25 Budget has been announced..
Car parking charges are proposed to increase by up to £2.10 an hour in some car parks, with the administration seeking to raise income from car parks by more than £1 million (which no doubt will result in less footfall, impact business, with more empty shops);
As ever with left wing administrations, ratepayers pay more, yet receive worse services. Footfall will fall from less cars visiting the area, impacting already struggling businesses, which will no doubt result in more empty shops on our high streets (& less income from business rates).
The proposed car parking charge increases would be a terrible blow to residents and visitors:
- Parking charges in Whitstable would rise by up to £2.10 an hour, with the council “cashing in” on the popularity of the seaside town. Motorists using the coastal hotspot’s busiest car parks currently pay an hourly rate as low as £1.60 - but this will soar to £3.70. The new tariffs would make Whitstable the priciest place to park on the Kent coast - and among the most expensive in the UK. If approved, the new fees would propel Whitstable close to the top of the priciest coastal spots for parking in the UK, with eight hours at the beach costing £29.60 – just shy of the £35 charged in Newquay and Brighton;
- The Socialists/Liberals want to scrap free midweek parking enjoyed by school-run parents between 8.30am and 10am in Whitstable (initiated to facilitate the school run and cut congestion).
The plans are simply "crazy", which will impact residents and local traders, by cashing in on people enjoying our district - whether they are locals or visitors.
“The rises are detrimental for businesses trying to recover after the pandemic and will be detrimental to residents cost-of-living. We will fight these increases and will back our communities, which need support.” The charges will affect footfall and businesses which are already struggling and will see more empty shops.
The proposals in the draft 2024/25 Budget are incredibly regressive, counter-intuitive, with residents and businesses worse off. To view the car parking consultation in full and voice your views, see https://news.canterbury.gov.uk/consultations/proposed-changes-to-charges-and-conditions-in-council-car-parks-2/
The economy of Canterbury, Whitstable and villages should be supported. Canterbury Conservatives are here to help residents and businesses.
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