Big fee rises defended for car parks

Motorists across the district are feeling the pinch of inflation-busting parking hikes.

The sharp increases, which came into force at the weekend, will see some residents hit with a huge rise in parking permit costs in the next three years.

Car park users in the city and the district’s coastal towns have also been hit by extended charging hours.

There were 179 objections to the changes, which were voted through earlier this year.

The increases are expected to rake in more than £150,000 in the first year and about £130,000 in the following two.

A resident’s car park permit in Canterbury previously cost £560, but will jump to £950 over the next three years.

The equivalent permit in Whitstable will increase from £200 to £700, while in Herne Bay there will be a 346% hike from £112 to £500.

Council bosses insist they are not ripping motorists off, as many rates have been frozen since 2013.

Authority leader Simon Cook said at the time of public consultation: “Obviously it’s not popular when you ask for more money and that is understandable.

“I’d be annoyed and probably complain myself if I was in the same boat.

“But what should be recognised is that there’s cheap and then there’s cheap.

“Residents have enjoyed a freeze in rates since 2013.

“They have done fairly well out of it as the permit price has been a hell of a good deal.

“We don’t take pleasure in it, but everyone needs to be paying the same amount – it’s only fair.”

Picture: Barry Goodwin FM4187152 Prices are going up in Pound Lane, Canterbury, and in car parks across the district