Council defends rise in car park charges
Council chiefs have defended their decision to increase car parking charges in Stourport.
Fees will increase at car parks alongside the River Severn that are used almost exclusively by daytrippers coming from out of town and which have been reclassified as 'seasonal'.
Wyre Forest District Council said the change was needed as it experiences a massive drop in income in winter from the car parks, and that maintenance and cleaning costs are having to be met from revenue from other car parks in the borough.
Visitors will now have to pay at least £2 which will allow them a two-hour stay. Anyone wanting to stay longer than two hours will have to pay £5 to park but will be able to remain for 24 hours. People can also pay £10 to park for 48 hours.
The car parks were previously classed as 'inner' car parks and charged £1.10 for one hour, £1.50 for two hours, £2.50 for three hours and £4.80 for up to 24 hours.
The rates will be introduced in October along with increased charges at the council's 'central' car parks in Raven Street, Stourport, Load Street, Bewdley, and Market Street, Kidderminster.
On these car parks a 30-minute stay will rise from 70p to £1, while an hour's parking will change from £1.20 to £1.50.
Council bosses said the changes were necessary but accepted they were 'not universally popular'.
John Campion, cabinet member for planning and regeneration at Wyre Forest District Council said: "
"These changes are necessary to make sure there is a fair policy across the district. We do have an element of free parking in all our towns."
But opposition Labour councillor Nigel Knowles spoke out against the changes, saying: "I don't think people would complain about paying £1, particularly for all day but they do complain about every other charge laid on them, and quite rightly." The changes will bring in an estimated £67,000 extra.
