Business group warns against parking charge hike

Parking charge rises are proposed for Bury St Edmunds

Parking charges in a market town look set to rise under proposals being considered by a council.

Prices in Bury St Edmunds could go up by as much as 20% with short-stay car parking tariffs set to increase by 20p, as West Suffolk Council meets to discuss its latest budget.

Mark Cordell, head of the town's Business Improvement District (BID), said the proposals could become "the tipping point that stunts the growth of our local economy".

Cliff Waterman, the council's Labour leader, said they had "worked really hard to keep [parking prices] as low as possible" but that Bury St Edmunds was "still a very attractive place to come".

The proposed increases would mean charges for Ram Meadow car park, in Cotton Lane, could go up to £3 - from £2.50 for three hours, and £3.50 for an all-day stay, up from £3, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Weekly tickets for the car park would be £10.50, up from £9, while eight weeks would cost £84, up from £72 and for annual season tickets, the proposed hike is almost £80, with the cost increasing from £468 to £546.

All short-stay car parking tariffs in Bury St Edmunds town centre would increase by 20p meaning charges in the Cattlemarket car park, for instance, would be £3.20 for two hours, and £6.20 for four hours.

Concerns have been raised that increasing parking cost will reduce footfall in the town

Mr Waterman said the proposals "shouldn't have an impact [on footfall and businesses] because Bury St Edmunds is still a very attractive place to come".

"Compared to other nearby towns such as Ipswich and Norwich we're lots cheaper, and we offer the exceptional Bury St Edmunds experience.

"If you want to come to Bury by car, we welcome you, we are good value for money."

But Mr Cordell warned that "it would be unwise to assume a footfall increase during last year would continue into the future".

He said: "All at the BID are very concerned that the council are in danger of killing the golden goose - Bury St Edmunds town centre - for the sake of some short-term income."

The proposals are expected to be discussed by the council at a meeting on Tuesday.