How can they justify massive car park fee?

I HAVE been a member of the Ivybridge Leisure Centre for many years, going back to when it was run by South Hams District Council (SHDC). Some years ago, to encourage membership, SHDC offered members free parking on visits to the centre; after a couple of years this became chargeable at £41 per year and has remained so since. SHDC have now decided that too many parking spaces are being used by leisure centre members and these spaces are needed to satisfy growing demand due to the current overdevelopment of the area, particularly Ivybridge. SHDC agreed that all leisure centre permits will cease and members will now have to either pay per visit, or purchase a standard permit. Simultaneously, SHDC decided to increase all permit prices – by April 2022 the cost will double.

For leisure centre members the current permit price will rise from £41 now to £230 in April and £276 a year later. Those unable to pay

£276 for an annual ticket can buy a 6-month one at £182, (£364 per year).

Current membership at the Ivybridge centre is £378 per year, meaning that it will cost almost as much to park your car as it does to be a member. In fact, if you cannot afford a permit and pay per visit it would actually cost you more to park than the membership itself if you used it more than 3 times a week!

The choices seem clear: Cancel your membership and join one of the many centres that provide free parking (not good for SHDC as their centres are already struggling), park for free in a nearby residential area (not good for the residents) or, if you can afford it, wear these monstrous price increases and purchase a permit. One final point – SHDC currently have no plans in place for town centre parking in Ivybridge once the main car park closes to build a supermarket.

Tony Scull, Ivybridge