Tax-lusting Tories hit town centre residents with parking tax

12.47.25pm BST (GMT +0100) Sun 30th Apr 2006

Lib Dem Helen Thompson says Tories doubled residents parking fees for revenue boost only

Anger, frustration and betrayal are just some of the words residents tell us over the Tories decision to hike up residents parking zone charges in the town centre.

Liberal Democrats have criticised proposals by the Conservatives to hike up the cost of town-centre Residents Parking fees saying it will do more harm than good for the quality of life for town centre residents.

Eastcott and Central Focus Team's special 'residents' parking Focus' leaflet saw a record number of objections returned to the Council earlier this year.

The cost of the permit has doubled to £25, with £50 and £100 charges for additional permits. Newcomers will be limited to one permit, and second permits for all will be gradually phased out.

Local Cllr Stan Pajak said: "This is an obvious worry for residents who often, by necessity more than desire, have more than one car. In 2005 the Lib Dems called for a referendum before increasing residents parking fees. The Tories rejected this proposal."

Eastcott Ward election candidate Dave Wood added: "The sole purpose of residents parking is to allow residents to park near their homes, not make our lives more difficult by charging us up to £150 to park a second car outside our homes. We cannot let the Tory-run Council continue to lose sight of this principle."

Central Ward election candidate Helen Thompson said: "Last year residents parking permits cost £12 a year, but Conservatives doubled this fee to £25 in their budget this March. These spiteful Tories have reduced the opportunity for town centre residents to own a second car alongside punishing town centre residents through their pockets with higher annual permit charges.

Cllr Pajak who is the Deputy Leader of the Lib Dems continued:

Lib Dem Dave Wood says Tories cure for lack of residents parking places will do more harm than good

"The Conservatives are holding a loaded gun to town centre residents heads by agreeing to increase residents parking permits to £25 a year for the first permit and £50 for a second permit. By the third year of their proposals residents will have to cough up £150 for a second permit, whilst a third household permit would cost £200.

"This Tory tax-hike is not necessary if residents are given the option to park overnight in town-centre car parks. We Lib Dems also urged the Tory-run Council to allow residents to use limited parking bays to park near their homes.

Candidate Dave Wood added:

"The Tories cure for lack of residents parking places will do more harm than good. Residents Parking should put people first, not simply be used to raise local taxes in such an underhand way. The Tories are ripping off town centre residents. This bad scheme should be thrown out."

In conclusion candidate Helen Thompson said:

"This parking tax will not be popular with residents who live in the town centre. They will have the choice of selling their second cars or worse, being forced to sell up and move out of the town centre.

"It's quite astonishing that the Council says it wants to encourage regeneration of the town centre and provide more homes for people to live, but then doubles the car parking tax to residents who already live in the town."

The facts about Parking Charges

1. Permit costs will double, newcomers will only be allowed one permit and additional permits will be phased out.

2. Working families need 2 cars - there should be exceptions to these new rules where needs are great!

3. House prices in affected areas are bound to drop.

4. Money raised is not being used to create new car parking spaces - it is an effective Tory Tax on the town centre.

5. The Tories are selling off land that could be used to park cars.

6. The Lib Dems are fighting new developments that would put even more cars on our crowded streets.

7. The Conservatives forced these changes through - virtually none of them live in residents' parking zones!

8. Labour did not vote against these changes - do they care?

9. The Lib Dems have been fighting these plans - vote for David Wood in Eastcott and Helen Thompson in Central and they will keep up the pressure on the Council.

10. Lib Dems called for a referendum before increasing Residents Parking charges in 2005. The Tories rejected this and increased charges by 100%

Residents are encouraged to complain to Tory Transport spokeswoman, Jemima Milton at SBC, Euclid Street, Swindon. SN1 2JH. We suggest you do not write to her at her country house in Ogbourne St George near Marlborough.

Related Link:

Letter to local newspaper from a town centre resident is a voice for the many in Swindon.