PARKING COSTS

Tariffs in almost all Canterbury, Herne Bay and Whitstable car parks will increase by 30p an hour within the next two years They will rise by 20p in the next financial year, before being hiked by 10p in 2021/22. Despite 90% of city centre traders fearing their businesses would be put at risk by the changes - and almost 1,000 residents, schools and businesses blasting plans - councillors voted through the proposals.

Cllr Nick Eden-green said the authority was milking car park prices “like a cash cow”.

He said: “Parking is a classic case of supply and demand. If you put the price up, demand will go down - it’s happening and we’ve reached the cusp on that already.” Visitors staying for less than hour in council car parks will now have to fork out more money. The minimum charge will be equivalent to the one-hour tariff rate meaning those staying for 15 minutes will have to pay for a full hour.

The “ridiculous” proposal to ditch free parking between 8.30am and 10am in Whitstable car parks was taken off the table following a wave of criticism, while free parking from 6pm until 9pm in William Street car park, Herne Bay, was upheld despite plans to start charging users. Discount permits for worshippers were also set to be scrapped. But the council backtracked and decided to continue to allow church-goers to park for free. Meanwhile, the controversial plan to stop offering discounts to Herons Leisure Centre users in Herne Bay was approved. Business user permits will increase by 20% and daily hotel parking permits will also rise from £6 to £12.

An amendment to increase parking enforcement in rural areas was agreed, with £30,000 being allocated to fund an extra parking enforcement officer and for a dedicated rural enforcement team to be established.

Cllr Mike Sole said: “Illegal and inconsiderate parking is on the increase in and around the villages. Time and time again, double yellow lines are unenforced.”

It is now confirmed that Northgate car park will close to allow for the expansion of the nearby medical practice.