Residents criticise hike in cost of parking permits

The cost of parking permits in Peterborough increased from Monday

City residents have criticised a rise of nearly 60% in the annual cost of additional parking permits.

Peterborough City Council increased the price of a single residents' permit from £44 to £50 from Monday, with the cost of additional permits rising from £44 to £70.

Leon King, who has lived in Huntly Grove for 30 years, said he understood the fees would help the cash-strapped council, but had been increased without consultation.

The authority said the decision was agreed by full council as part of the budget- setting process this year.

Leon King, of Huntly Grove, said the price hike was unjustified

Residents said many would struggle to pay the increased fee, especially when council tax had risen by 5%.

Mr King, a music teacher, said: “We need and have two cars and a guest parking permit, so three permits is a lot of money. I try to cycle as much as I can, though.

“We understand the council is cut to the bone and needs the money. But I object to it going up so significantly.”

'Matter of time'

Because residents no longer had paper permits, it was difficult to know who owned one, he said, with finding a space at weekends a “nightmare”.

Jonathan Theobald, of Lincoln Road, said the rise would lead to more illegal parking.

“I walk my dog each night, and pavements are often made impossible by cars straddling double yellow lines and blocking pavements," he said.

“I fear it’s a matter of time before a mum with a pushchair or a wheelchair user is killed."

The council faces a shortfall of £6.2m for 2024-25, expected to rise to £13.8m by 2026.

Its cabinet approved hikes to charges for parking, garden waste collection and council tax to balance the books.

The authority also said the number of enforcement officers could be doubled to help generate more money through fines.