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'Greedy' council has put up parking costs
A council has been accused of being greedy after increasing parking charges by as much as 20 per cent.
Havant Borough Council has upped charges at 14 of its pay and display car parks across the district.
Community leaders said the increase was a blow as businesses struggled for trade and shoppers tightened their belts.
Pat Sutton, chairman of Havant Residents' Association, said: 'They're being greedy.
'They are not cutting back where they could.
'Why should the average man or woman in the street have to pay for all this?
'It's at the wrong time and Havant is the wrong place to do it.
'It will send people out of town.'
From next month, charges will go up from 1.50 to 1.70 to park for up to four hours – an increase of more than 13 per cent.
Car parks in Elm Grove, Hayling Island, used by shoppers and health centre visitors, will now charge 20 per cent more, with a hike from 50p to 60p for one hour's parking.
Paul Fisher, chairman of Hayling Island Residents' Association, said: 'It will just cause more on-street parking and make traffic flow more problematic.
'It does seem to be grossly excessive.'
Last year Havant Borough Council made more than 1.1m from parking charges and fines.
More than 700,000 came from charges at town centre car parks.
Councillor Jenny Wride, who is in charge of parking in Havant, said costs were going up to maintain car parks and the money would be spent on improving security and installing more modern pay and display machines.
She said: 'They are going to go up year on year because of inflation.
'The cost of maintenance goes up every year.
'As a council we have to operate efficiently and cover our costs.
'People speak about profit as if it's a dirty word.
'Anyone in business knows you have to have a surplus as you have to cover your costs.'
She added: 'Nobody wants increases.
'If they were avoidable they would not be put in place.
'I would not be agreeing to anything if I did not think it was reasonable.'
INCREASES FROM APRIL 1
- Emsworth – Charges at North Street, Palmers Road, and South Street car parks will go up from 1.50 to 1.70 for up to four hours parking.
- Havant – Charges at Town End House, East Pallant, Prince George's Street and Elmleigh Road will go up from 1.50 to 1.70 for up to four hours parking. For up to two hours parking at Prince George's Street there will now be a charge of 1, but the car park is still free 3pm to 3.15pm Monday to Friday for schools pick-ups.
- Waterlooville – Charges at Wellington Way and Rockville Drive go up from 1.50 to 1.70 for up to four hours parking.
- Hayling Island – Charges at Elm Grove and health centre car parks increase from 50p to 60p for up to one hour and from 1.50 to 1.70 for up to four hours parking.
- Cowplain – Charges at Mission Lane go up from 1.50 to 1.70 for up to four hours parking.
- Leigh Park – Charges at Tidworth Road and Greywell increase from 1.50 to 1.70 for up to four hours parking.
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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