Car parking charges are to be increased due to ‘unprecedented pressures’ facing Wokingham Borough Council’s finances. 

Executive Member for Environment, Sport and Leisure, Cllr Ian Shenton, pointed out that, if the charges aren’t increased then the council’s ability to maintain highways to the current standards would be “significantly compromised”. 

However, a two-tier charge rate has been created for parking inside and outside of Wokingham Town Centre, meaning Woodley charges will be set at a lower day-time rate. 

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Parking will cost £1 for the 1st hour (instead of £1.30), £2 for two hours (instead of £2.50), £4 for four hours (instead of £4.50), £6 for six hours (instead of £6.50) and £8 for more than six hours (instead of £9). 

The new plan retains the Henley Road 30-minute stay at 60p for up to an hour, instead of the proposed £1.30. 

There has also been a revision of season tickets for parking in Woodley, with one-month passes having been reduced from £168.50 to £92, three months down from £506.50 to £275, six months down from £1,013 to £550 and twelve months reduced from £2,026 to £1,100.