PARKING permits for Stratford residents over 65 will be scrapped.
Stratford District Council’s Cabinet this week agreed changes to the car park tariffs and parking permits to help with the financial impact of the pandemic.
The council once again revised changes to permits and parking charges in the town centre after initial proposals to scrap the £10 permits caused an outcry in 2019.
Instead the council decided to keep the permits and increase the cost to £25. But now, in a second U-turn, the concessionary permits will no longer be available.
Other changes agreed include a charge for the formerly free Fisherman’s car park off Warwick Road, card payment systems with a pay by phone option, limits on free parking in Shipston and Greig leisure centres and increased overnight parking charges at Stratford Leisure Centre.
District counillor Ian Shenton said: “No one likes to pay more for any service and this is not a decision that we’ve taken lightly, having deferred it from last year.
“The changes to car parking charges would still be competitive with other car parks in Stratford town centre.
“We know the end of the concessionary (over 65s) permit will not be popular. However we have carried out a benchmarking exercise on concessionary parking permits. Out of 15 local authorities in the Midlands and South West region, only two offer such permits – Wychavon District Council at £100 a year and Wyre Forest District Council at £175 a year. Our residents have enjoyed the offer of £10 parking for a number of years, but we just can’t afford that in the current climate.”
The changes will be subject to a six-week consultation and come into effect during the 2021/22 financial year.
