Waverley car parking fees set to increase by an average of 18.2%.
- 4 months ago
Car Parks in Waverley are set to increase by an average of 18.2%.
It’s no April Fool’s prank for Farnham as parking charges are set to increase steeply in Waverley council-run car parks from Monday April 1.
Fares are to go up by an average of 18.2 per cent and it has left many people concerned about what this will mean for business and workers who park in the town.
“It’s going to kill the town off,” said Sweet Lizzy shop owner Liz Fearnley.
“Why would you spend an hour trying to get through the traffic then to be paying two or three times more than what you can pay in other towns.
“It will make things more difficult and on top of the proposed September pavement widening it’s going to stop people from coming into town.”
One person said: “This will not encourage shoppers and tourists to visit Farnham and there are no thoughts for the shop owners trying to survive the costs of today’s prices.”
There is also concern about the future of free parking on Sundays.
A worker said: “If they start charging on a Sunday then that will really hurt the business.”
Cllr Fairclough explained how car park income will now sit at around £5.2m, with the funds being used for a wide range of services.
He also said“In 2021, the council approved a strategy allowing specific car park rates to be changed to respond to the market. Parking charges have remained unchanged since 2021, and to assist the recovery of income the council is proposing to raise them broadly in line with inflation.”
Also said “We know that many people are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis and the last thing we want to do is increase the burden on our residents. Waverley’s pre-pandemic income from car parks was budgeted at £5.1m. Covid-19 had a sudden and significant impact, reducing income by almost £2m in 2020-21.
It’s no April Fool’s prank for Farnham as parking charges are set to increase steeply in Waverley council-run car parks from Monday April 1.
Fares are to go up by an average of 18.2 per cent and it has left many people concerned about what this will mean for business and workers who park in the town.
“It’s going to kill the town off,” said Sweet Lizzy shop owner Liz Fearnley.
“Why would you spend an hour trying to get through the traffic then to be paying two or three times more than what you can pay in other towns.
“It will make things more difficult and on top of the proposed September pavement widening it’s going to stop people from coming into town.”
One person said: “This will not encourage shoppers and tourists to visit Farnham and there are no thoughts for the shop owners trying to survive the costs of today’s prices.”
There is also concern about the future of free parking on Sundays.
A worker said: “If they start charging on a Sunday then that will really hurt the business.”
Cllr Fairclough explained how car park income will now sit at around £5.2m, with the funds being used for a wide range of services.
He also said“In 2021, the council approved a strategy allowing specific car park rates to be changed to respond to the market. Parking charges have remained unchanged since 2021, and to assist the recovery of income the council is proposing to raise them broadly in line with inflation.”
Also said “We know that many people are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis and the last thing we want to do is increase the burden on our residents. Waverley’s pre-pandemic income from car parks was budgeted at £5.1m. Covid-19 had a sudden and significant impact, reducing income by almost £2m in 2020-21.