MP: ‘Council wants to make our life miserable’

SIR John Redwood has taken to X, formerly Twitter, to criticise the local parking regime.

Wokingham’s MP wrote that he visited a local shopping centre on New Year’s Eve and noticed two parking enforcement officers working what he described as a small car park.

He accused councils of having “aggressive weekend charges” and a “complex payment system” when it came to car parks.

Elaborating on the emotive issue of parking in the town, he told Wokingham Today: “The whole anti-driver approach of the Council is very unpopular.

“It makes the lives of many local service providers so difficult as they struggle to get through the road and lane closures, the temporary traffic lights and the costly and complex parking.

“Many people need a car to get the children to school and themselves to work.

“The weekly shop needs a car to carry home the groceries.

“People want to go to events and social occasions at times when there is little or no public transport.”

He added: “Why does the council put up parking charges?

“Why does it extend the hours when you need to pay?

“Why does it make it so difficult to pay?”

He concluded: “The Council clearly dislikes us, and wants to make our lives miserable.”

Wokingham Borough Council introduced new charges at its car parks on July 3, 2023, in a move that was widely criticised by businesses and shoppers. It was the first increase in five years, and saw an hour rise from 80p to £1.30.

A charge for Sundays and evenings was introduced for the first time.

At the time Councillor Paul Fishwick, executive member for active travel, transport and highways of Wokingham Borough Council, said: “In our current financial position, we have had to make tough choices, and raising car park charges is one of them.

“There has been no increase to parking charges since April 2018, and so residents, businesses and visitors have enjoyed cheaper parking for longer, rather than the gradual increases seen in other areas.”

Wokingham Borough Council has been contacted for comment regarding Sir John’s concerns.