Canterbury parking charge increases near approval by council

Car parks in Whitstable and Herne Bay could increase in cost by up to £2.10 an hour

Plans to increase parking charges in Canterbury, Kent, have been approved by the city council's cabinet.

It would see hourly rates in some car parks jump to £3.70, but councillors said they had tried to "mitigate those rises as much as possible".

The plans were put forward in October as part of efforts to generate £1 million per year.

The proposal will go to the full council on 22 February, and come into force in April if approved.

According to the Local Democracy Service, car parks would be separated into three bands, with the highest charges imposed at the most popular sites.

The number of car parks in the most expensive band would increase from two to seven, with the council proposing an hourly rate of £3.70.

While this represents just a 20p hike at the existing premium sites in Canterbury, in Whitstable it will be up by £2.10 more an hour.

No more seasonal tariffs

The council wants to drop seasonal tariffs, which are seen as a tourist tax on summer visitors, leaving residents facing an all-year-round rate of £3.70.

It is also proposing to end free midweek parking in some carparks.

"Under no circumstances did I want to put prices up," said Liberal Democrat cabinet member for transport Alex Ricketts.

He added: "We do find ourselves in a financial situation that we have to do this, and we do have to raise revenue."

He said Sturry's park and ride scheme will be reopened, funded by £232,500 generated through the new charges.

The council has also set aside £300,000 for improvements to multi-storey car parks such as the Castle Street site.

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