Calls for Parking Charges Commonsense

I have reacted angrily to news that West Sussex County Council is looking at increasing the cost of on-street parking in Worthing from 80p to £1.20 an hour – a 50% increase.

I recently welcomed the news that off-street car parking in NCP car parks would be reduced following my successful car parking charges campaign, with the petition I organised signed by over 2000 shoppers.

With the previous off-street parking minimum charge of £2.90 for the first two hours, the number of people visiting the town centre in April and May 2009 dropped by 13% compared to last year, compared to a nationwide fall of just 0.1%.

I was really pleased that the petition I organised, that was signed by over 2000 people, helped to make Worthing Borough Council listen and negotiate lower parking charges with NCP in the multi-storey car parks.

However this latest news beggars belief. It makes you wonder if both Worthing Borough Council and West Sussex County Council talk to one another. It’s like taking one step forward, then two steps back with this important issue.

I have spoken to Henry Smith, the Leader of West Sussex County Council, to see what on earth they are playing at. I'm confident we can persuade the county council to adopt some commonsense. We should be supporting local shops and businesses, not putting the nail in the coffin which will be the case if these charges come into effect.