Tories Reject Freeze on Town Centre Parking Prices

Woking Tories tonight rejected a Liberal Democrat bid to freeeze Woking town centre parking prices at the currrent level.

Introducing an amendment to Tory proposals for increased parking charges Lib Dem Leader Denzil Coulson pointed out that increased parking charges put at risk all the work that has gone into the town centre.  There is no point having a beautiful new town square and new shops if shoppers choose to go elsewhere.  Other Surrey towns are cheaper and even some London shopping centres charge less for parking.

Cllr. Louise Morales noted the high number of people who park for two hours in Woking.  She suggested a cheaper third hour rate to encourage shoppers to linger a little longer, maybe to patronise a cafe or restaurant or do a little more shopping.

I raised concerns on how rising parking charges lead to an increase in commuters, town centre workers and shoppers parking on residential roads in Horsell.  As parking charges rise the level of parking on local streets moves further out into Horsell.  Parking has already gone so far out that I have seen somebody park in Horsell, take a folding bike from their boot and cycle into the town centre.

Parking on residential streets ends up costing money as residents ask for 
parking restrictions.  Councillors and officers consult on parking restrictions.  
Restrictions are implemented and there are then extra roads for enforcement officers to patrol.  Residents already tell me that existing parking restrictions are not sufficiently policed.

Other Lib Dem councillors raised similar concerns but it all fell on deaf ears.  Only the Leader of the Council, his Deputy and another Executive member spoke to defend the increase in parking charges before the Conservatives voted en bloc against a freeze in charges.