BOSSES of a cash-strapped council are looking at hitting motorists with overnight parking charges.

Drivers, who currently pay nothing to use three car parks in Woodley and Earley overnight and on Sundays, would be forced to pay in a measure expected to rake in around £150,000 a year.

The proposals, which affect numerous borough car parks, have been put forward by Wokingham Borough Council after it was revealed that the council must find millions of pounds in savings in the coming years.

Accused of using car parking as a cash cow, it defended the move saying the money has to come from somewhere.

Under the change, car parks Headley Road and Crockhamwell Road, in Woodley, and Station Road, Earley would charge £1 Monday to Saturday, 6pm to 8am, but also all day Sunday and bank holidays.

Regular users can buy an evening season ticket at £292.

The council had originally planned £8million of savings in 2016.2017, but due to unexpected reduction in the Government grant that figure has been revised with a further £2million to be found.

As reported, Wokingham says it is the worst hit authority in the country, having seen its revenue support grant slashed by 50 per cent.

Woodley town councillor Kay Guilder said “I know they have to get money from somewhere because obviously they're losing money from the Government but I do think to discourage people from using the town centre is a retrograde step.”

She said she believed it would harm the evening economy of Woodley town centre, could lead to increased parking in close-by roads and the council was using parking as a cash cow.

 


 

However, borough councillor David Chopping, for Maiden Erlegh ward, said the charge was not enough to put people off using car parks.

He said this was not a move to offset a rise in council tax, but said the council needed funds and was “trying to lots of little things that are reasonable to raise the money”.

“We're going to upset people whatever we do,” he added.

Council Leader Keith Baker said the council had chosen this instead of increasing daytime fees and the charge should be put in perspective of a £40 to £60 meal out for two in Wokingham.

He said the council was faced with a growth in adult social care costing an extra £2.5million a year for four years and even if council tax was raised to the maximum it would only raise £1.6m.

Cllr Baker said the council would be using “every mechanism” to close the shortfall including looking at a council tax rise and both himself and MP John Redwood had been lobbying senior ministers to reconsider the grant.

A consultation runs until February 5.

For more information visit wokingham.gov.uk/tro.

Neighbours, does this affect you? Do you rely on overnight parking to park your cars? Let us know by commenting below or email news@readingchronicle.co.uk