The Labour Group have supported an announcement that the Council looks set to reduce the annual parking permits for residents in Town Centre and Old Town parking zones by more than half, from £625 to £299 per year.
In a motion going to tomorrow’s (25th January) Full Council Meeting, the Labour Group had called on the Council to reduce the prohibitive £625 charge on Town Centre and Old Town residents.
The Labour Group say in their motion,“the current evening Town Centre Residents Parking scheme does not have a large take up and that this is likely due to the prohibitive £625 cost. As a consequence revenue opportunities have been lost and pressure is placed on the Town Centre’s limited free parking spaces.
[We] Believe a more attractive charge would produce a new revenue stream for the Council and provide an attraction to home buyers wishing to locate to the Town Centre.”
Responding to the Conservative administration’s announcement of this dramatic cut in parking costs for Town Centre and Old Town parking zone residents, Central Ward Councillor, Bob Wright, said:
“I am pleased the Conservative administration have listened to the Labour Group’s call for a more affordable parking charge for residents in Town Centre and Old Town parking zones.
I submitted our motion on reducing parking costs because residents on average or low incomes would not be able to afford the charge the Council were offering. The new cut in parking charges is a much more affordable cost to residents.”
Eastcott Councillor, Paul Dixon, who seconded the Labour Group motion on the Town Centre Residents Parking scheme, said, “This is really good news for residents in my ward who currently have to pay a huge fee if they do not qualify for an on-road parking permit. I will be urging Councillors to ensure a maximum range of car parks, including Spring Gardens Car Park, is available to residents who buy these permits.
I would congratulate the Conservative administration on listening to the concerns expressed by residents and local councillors.”
