PARKING permits for Stratford residents over 65 could still be scrapped following a second U-turn by the district council.
Stratford District Council has once again revised changes to permits and parking charges in the town centre following claims it is facing a £4million budget deficit.
An outcry over proposals to scrap £10 parking permits for pensioners in 2019 prompted the council to keep the permits and increase the cost to £25.
The newly-priced permit was delayed due to the pandemic, but after further review, it looks set to be scrapped altogether once again.
Council officers say the move would cut private car use and help achieve its goal to be zero carbon in the district by 2030.
The revision could also see a charge introduced in the free Fisherman’s car park off Warwick Road, and card payment systems with a pay by phone option. Stratford District Council says the update to the machines would be met by an existing budget.
Changes could also include a two hour limit on free parking in Shipston and Greig leisure centres. Overnight parking charges at Stratford Leisure Centre could be increased from £2 to £3 for cars and from £2 to £20 for coaches, lorries and motorhomes.
However, the hikes to tariffs in seven council-run car parks proposed last year remain the same. They would include under one hour’s parking increasing from £1 to £1.20 and an increase from £2 to £2.40 for 1-2 hours. It is estimated the increases would generate a net income of around £168,000.
The council claims the prices are still competitive compared to other local authority charges, and out of 15 Midlands’ and South West authorities, only two had concessionary permits priced at £100 and £175.
A decision will be made during a Cabinet meeting on Monday January 11. A six week consultation will follow if the revised proposals are approved.
