Ellie Ames 20 August 2024

Council faces backlash over near-600% parking hike

Council faces backlash over near-600% parking hike image
Image: PeopleImages.com - Yuri A / Shutterstock.com

‘Ridiculous’ parking charge increases in a coastal Kent town have prompted complaints from residents and a petition with more than a thousand signatures.

Canterbury City Council increased the day rate, which is charged between 9am and 6pm, for School Lane car park in Herne Bay from £2.20 to £15 on 1 April.

The hike of nearly 600% was reportedly believed by some residents to be an April Fool’s prank.

The hourly fee was also increased to £1.90, while car park users were previously charged 60p for 30 minutes and £1.20 for two hours.

Herne and Broomfield Parish Council branded the hike 'ridiculous' and launched a petition, which now has 1,284 signatures, so Canterbury would ‘realise the sense of bad feeling’.

The parish council said the price hike was affecting both residents and visitors, including those wishing to use the local pubs, shops, dentist and church.

Canterbury’s cabinet member for transport, Alex Ricketts, said School Lane was one of the cheapest car parks in the district.

He said all parking charges were reviewed annually, and the council would consider the impact of the increase in the autumn.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Registered Building Inspector (Band 2/Grade 7)

Health and Safety Executive
£60,760 - £65,776
The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) is transforming building safety regulation across England. United Kingdom / various Locations
Recuriter: Health and Safety Executive

Revenues and Recovery Team Leader

Ashfield District Council
£37,938 - £40,476 per annum (pay award pending)
We have an exciting opportunity for a Revenues and Recovery Team Leader Sutton-In-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire
Recuriter: Ashfield District Council

Housing Options Officer

Ashfield District Council
£31,067 - £33,366 per annum (pay award pending)
Do you want to make a real difference to the lives of residents in housing need? Sutton-In-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire
Recuriter: Ashfield District Council

Building Services Operative

Ashfield District Council
£25,584 - £27,269 per annum (pay award pending)
The Facilities team are looking to recruit an enthusiastic individual Sutton-In-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire
Recuriter: Ashfield District Council

Street Cleansing Technician (CDC)

City Of Doncaster Council
Grade 5, £24,397 per annum (pay award pending)
Do you enjoy working outside, as part of a team that make a direct difference to the communities of Doncaster? Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recuriter: City Of Doncaster Council
Linkedin Banner