Councillors give green light to higher parking charges in Stamford
PARKING charges in Stamford will rise by up to 25 per cent after councillors approved the increase.
South Kesteven District Council backed the higher charges at a council meeting on Monday.
The changes will affect the short-term car parks in North Street, Bath Row, St Leonard's Street and Scotgate and the long stay car parks in Cattle Market and Wharf Road.
Councillors approved the general revenue budget which includes car parking charges.
There were 42 in favour, seven against and one abstention.
A proposed 1 charge for evening and Sunday parking will also go out for a six-week public consultation. The district council said its wardens would patrol later as and when required.
Traders, who last week called on district councillors not to increase charges, said they were
disappointed by the decision.
Stamford Chamber of Trade and Commerce president Tim Lee said: "Of course we are very disappointed that they decided to put up charges despite all the arguments against it."
Jenny Fitzpatrick, of Stamford Traders Association, added: "I am very worried about the effects this rise will have on Stamford, particularly the proposed 1 charge for evening and Sundays.
"At the moment it is free to park at those times and I think that is Stamford's saving grace. To have to pay for parking in the evenings and Sunday would be terrible."
From April 6, it will cost 3 to park all day in a long stay car park, a rise of 40p, and an hour's short stay parking will now cost 1, up 20p. The council is also introducing a 50p charge for 30 minutes at its short stay car parks.
In the short term car parks, the charge for up to two hours will rise from 1.30 to 1.50 and up to three hours from 1.80 to 2. The rates for up to four hours and more than four hours will stay at 6 and 8. In the long stay car parks, the charge for up to four hours will rise from 2.10 to 2.50 and the rate for up to three hours will increase from 1.60 to 2.
The quarterly rate for a Monday to Friday season ticket would go up from 90 to 99.
The district council reviews its charges every two years.
Corporate head of finance and customer service Richard Wyles said: "We believe the new fees offer good value parking and that they compare well to other similarly-sized towns."
He said the council invested significant resources into security with CCTV coverage in car parks and regular patrols.
The parking charges apply to all district council car parks in Stamford and Grantham.
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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