CAR parking in Colchester could be set to rise to help fund “essential services” as part of what council bosses have described as a “tough decision”.
Colchester Council has proposed a “modest rise” to various fees and charges as part of its budget for 2024/25.
The plans include a string of charges and increases which will affect residents living in - and visitors to - the city.
Some of the services which will be impacted include the cost of planning applications and the use of various sports and leisure facilities.
Among the proposals is also an increase in car parking charges, with fees set for an inflationary increase of at least 6.7 per cent on most tariffs, excluding those in West Mersea, Dedham and Wivenhoe.
There is also an above-inflation increase for Butt Road and Napier Road (North and South) car parks.
Here is how much every car park will rise in Colchester under new plans.
Alongside the rises, Colchester Council is also set to:
- Remove Vineyard Street MiPermit special offer
- Remove St Marys MiPermit Special Offer
- Remove Butt Road and Napier Road ‘Up to 4 Hours’ tariff
- Raise Priory Street Resident Season Ticket in line with on-street resident permit prices
- Raise Priory Street Parents permits prices
- Raise Alexandra Terrace, Bergholt Road and St Julians Grove Season Tickets
- Raise Three Crowns Road resident season tickets
- Raise Sheepen Road Lorry Park tariffs
On the reasons for the rises, Colchester Council said: “Parking fees and charges form an important measure to influence driver behaviour through setting appropriate parking charge levels.
“The primary function of parking is not simply to raise revenue, but to support transport policy.
“They should also reflect the cost to provide the parking service and is therefore not immune to inflation due to the many costs within the off-street parking operation.”
