Fees for car parking across Stafford to increase

A raft of changes will be introduced from January 1, 2020, as Stafford Borough Council aims to tackle a £1.5 million black hole in 2022.

Car parking fees and charges across the borough had been frozen since 2016 in a bid to support town centre businesses.

But now they will rise by an average of 10 per cent, with an hour-long stay across Stafford costing £1 to £1.10.

Evening charges will also be introduced, with drivers allowed to park after 6pm and out before 8am the following day for £1.

Long-stay parking in the town will increase by 20p to £4.40 for a day, with season-long parking increasing from £52 to £55.

A report to councillors said: "Car parking fees and charges have not increased generally since 2016, and in some cases have not increased since 2008.

"Additionally, past increases in the rate of VAT have not been passed onto the customer.

"The proposed increases are reflective of the annual increases that could have been applied during this period.

"Fees have not been raised annually as any increase would not have been to a whole 10p and therefore would have caused difficulties to the customer in having the correct change."

The proposals were put together in order to "support sustainable" and "effective" medium-term financial planning.

Will Conaghan, spokesman for Stafford Borough Council, said: "In some cases the charges for motorists to park on borough council run car parks have not increased for 10 years, and more generally they have not gone up since 2016 - although the cost of running and maintaining car parks, as well as undertaking a programme of improvements, has increased during that time.

"As part of the proposals there would be an extra 10p on the shorter periods of parking – for example, a one hour stay will now be £1.10p in Stafford and 70p in Stone.”