Forest of Dean parking charge rise is 'nail in the coffin'

The cost of two hours of parking is set to increase from 50p to £2, four hours from £1.50 to £4 and more than four hours from £2 to £5

Car parking charges in a community are set to rise by 300% as a council attempts to bring in more funds.

As part of its budget strategy for next year, Forest of Dean District Council is proposing to increase weekly parking tickets from £6 to £10.

Despite its "strong financial position", the authority claims cuts to government funding have made it cautious about its budget.

Its financial plan is to "maximise opportunities" for additional income.

In a budget consultation document detailing the strategy for 2023-24, the authority is proposing changes to parking fees as well as increasing council tax by 2.99%.

"Having recently been audited, we're in a strong financial position and though we're starting from a healthy place, funding remains a challenge," the document states.

"We have seen cuts year on year to the funding we receive from the government, and this year is no different.

"This, coupled with rising inflation, has meant that our finances need to be carefully managed in order to continue delivering and improving the services we provide for the district."

Colin Watkins has run a locksmiths in Cinderford for 30 years and says the council's financial strategy is "killing" the small town.

Colin Watkins says the changes "won't be good for businesses"

"It is just a joke isn't it? That is why the town is empty," Mr Watkins said.

"People want to come into the town but how are they supposed to get here? On the bus? Which are as rare as you like.

"It is not going to work," he said. "This won't be good for businesses.

"It's killing the town off, another nail in the coffin," he added.

Forest of Dean District Council said: "In the current difficult and uncertain national funding situation, the cabinet's financial strategy remains to drive down the council's costs whilst maximising opportunities to realise additional ongoing revenue income."

The authority hopes that increasing parking charges will discourage car travel and also increase its revenue by £200,000.

"All the businesses in this small town are struggling now after we lost the banks," said Timothy Carr, owner of New Hope Reptile in Cinderford.

Timothy Carr doesn't think the plans have been thought through

"There is not much to draw people in, and when you start hiking parking prices up as well, it's not helpful at all.

"Everybody is struggling, I don't think this has been thought through," he added.

The public consultation process began on 22 December and ends on Friday.

The final decision will be made by councillors on 22 February.