PLANS to hike on-street parking charges in south Warwickshire have led to county council chiefs being slammed for treating the area like the “goose with the golden egg”.
Current on-street charges are due to go up by more than 10 per cent across Leamington, Warwick, Stratford and Kenilworth from April.
Parking costs for 15 minutes will increase from 30p to 45p. For 30 minutes the cost will rise from 80p to 90p and for one hour, from £1.80 to £1.90.
The changes will raise an additional £231,000 annually for Warwickshire County Council.
Stratford MP Manuela Perteghella has written to WCC’s leadership to object to the proposal due to it disproportionally impacting towns in the south of the county.
Dr Perteghella said: “Reform treats south Warwickshire like the goose with the golden egg. These charges affect everyone, but the poorest will feel it the most. Why is there an assumption that families in the south of the county can fill the holes in their budget? Do they not realise that the cost-of-living crisis is national?
“I have been advised that these plans are to reduce congestion and road safety, but I am not buying that. The parking spaces will still be there – they will just be more expensive. This is a tax on local people.
“People will still need to go into towns to buy essentials; visit the post office; the chemist; the grocers. It will just cost them even more to do that under Reform’s plans.”
Warwick and Leamington MP Matt Western added: “Towns in south Warwickshire appear to be almost solely the victim of these hikes from Warwickshire County Council, which is disappointing. We contribute significantly to Warwickshire wide resources and deserve to be treated with some respect, not just as a cash cow.
“Our towns and high streets have so much to offer, and we should be encouraging people to make the most of them, not risk driving them away with these price hikes.”
A u-turn has been made on additional pay and display zones being introduced in Alcester, Henley, Shipston and Southam.
Plans to almost double the price of parking permits across the county from £25 to 45 have also been shelved.
WCC leader Coun George Finch has been approached for comment.
