Anger over 'diabolical' plans to hike parking fees

Canterbury City Council has plans to hike parking charges in Canterbury and Whitstable

Fees at Kent's priciest public car parks are set to increase again in a move branded "diabolical" and "greedy" by residents.

Nine car parks in Canterbury and Whitstable currently charge £3.70 per hour, making them the most expensive in the county, and Canterbury City Council (CCC) is proposing to hike those fees by 10p.

Alex Ricketts, cabinet member for transport, said the higher charges were "a big part of why we are in a healthier financial situation than most councils".

The local authority is set to collect £12m in revenue from parking over the next financial year, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

CCC had planned to increase band one sites to £3.80 an hour for the 2025/26 financial year before backtracking.

However, papers released last week showed the council's proposed budget for 2026/27 reveal the 10p price hike is being considered.

The documents say the price hike will bring in an extra £102,000 "to cover increased operating costs" and "help fund essential council services".

Whitstable resident Janine Chilley said: "The footfall has dropped considerably - if it's going to cost people £10 to go out for a day before they've even shopped, they're not going to come in.

"I think it's diabolical. It's greed on behalf of the council."

Carole Ridley, who runs a dress shop in Harbour Street, Whitstable, said she was "absolutely horrified" to hear of the increase.

"The public can't afford food, let alone the parking," she added.

Oxford resident James Roddick, who was visiting Kent, said the price hike "might drive people away from the high street".

The council says prices for more than 5,000 of council-owned parking spaces are set to be frozen, including at park and ride sites.

It added charges are not changing in band two or three locations, where fees are £2.70 and £1.90 per hour respectively.

At a meeting on 3 November, the council is expected to approve the launch of a public consultation on the changes to its off-street parking order.

The car parks where prices are set to rise in Canterbury are North Lane, Pound Lane, Castle Row, Watling Street, Whitefriars and Queningate.

In Whitstable, they are Harbour, Gorrell Tank and Keams Yard.