Surrey Heath: Proposed parking fee increase to fund repairs

Drivers parking at Watchetts Road Car Park would pay more under the plans

Increased car parking charges have been proposed in a Surrey borough as it faces increased costs and big repair bills.

Surrey Heath Borough Council's parking strategy looks at its 23 car parks, following a public consultation.

Councillors heard there had been "very little maintenance" on the car parks since 2014-15.

With huge sums needed for works at some car parks, the council aims to bring fees into line across the borough.

Councillor Jonathan Quin pointed to an average 17% increase in parking fees, though said at some short stay options the increase was 50%.

He told a performance and finance scrutiny committee on 24 January a scrapped 5% increase in October would have avoided the "huge" increase seen now.

At pay on foot car parks, including Watchetts Road, Chobham High Street and Wharf Road, parking will be free for the first half hour under the plans, it is currently free for the first hour.

Parking for up to an hour in these car parks will cost £1, will increase from £1 to £1.50 for up to two hours, and from £1.50 to £2 for up to three hours.

Resident and community services portfolio holder Helen Whitcroft said the strategy was about "much more than simply the infrastructure".

The strategy, she explained, would mean "easier contactless payments, cleaner, less smelly environments and improved, or where needed, replaced CCTV, and better signage and markings".

The estimated cost of repairs to parking at Frimley Lodge Park, which holds about 500 cars, is £2.6m.

Documents said the current condition of the car park was "beyond reasonable repair" and presented a safety risk.

"If the issues are not resolved, safety concerns may force the closure of some of the parking areas to the public," the strategy said.

The results of a public consultation will be published before a decision is made by the council's executive, for which no date is yet set.

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