Council defends parking fee hike as locals fear impact on businesses

Residents across North Devon have raised alarms after North Devon Council announced an increase in parking charges, arguing that the hike could have a detrimental impact on local businesses, especially those situated in town centres. 

Many have voiced their concerns that the price increase may discourage shoppers from visiting high streets, thereby exacerbating the challenges faced by small enterprises that are already struggling in an increasingly competitive retail environment.

The price rise, announced on 7 January by the Gazette, will generate an additional £350,000 in revenue for the council.

The changes are slated to take effect from Tuesday 1 April, and will affect several car parks in the region. 

According to the council, the decision to raise fees is driven by inflationary pressures and rising operational costs, with parking charges having only been adjusted once since 2016.

However, local residents have expressed frustration over the price hike.

In a Facebook post by the Gazette detailing the news, comments flooded in from concerned community members. 

One user remarked: “Not good for the shopkeepers though in the high street,” while another argued: “Why should I bother to travel into town and pay higher parking fees, when I can tap away on my laptop and next day the item is delivered to my door.” 

Many others echoed the sentiment, suggesting that the increased costs might drive people to continue shopping online rather than venture into local town centres, where they would be expected to pay higher parking fees.

In response to the news, North Devon Council has defended the fee increase, explaining that it is a necessary step to ensure the sustainability of local services. 

Jon Triggs, Director of Resources and Deputy Chief Executive of North Devon Council, said: “The decision to increase parking charges is not one that is taken lightly. Should the proposals come into effect in April, it will be just the second time tariffs have been raised since 2016. We never want to put charges up if we can help it, but we have to ensure the increased costs we incur in running our car parks are covered, so the burden doesn’t fall on the wider residents’ council tax.”

Mr Triggs went on to explain that the proposed 10p increase per hour in town centre car parks (a 7.7 per cent increase) and the 10p rise in coastal car parks (a 6.6 per cent increase) reflect the inflationary pressures since the last fee hike in 2023. 

These pressures include rising staffing costs, vehicle maintenance, charges from payment providers, and the need for capital investment to improve car park facilities.

“These tariffs have been carefully considered, and footfall in town centres plays a part in those considerations. We continue to ensure charges in North Devon are competitive for all of our residents, businesses and visitors, and the proposals for the forthcoming year remain cheaper than the current charges in our neighbouring authorities,” Mr Triggs added.

The council also emphasised that any revenue generated from parking fees goes toward funding essential services such as rubbish collection, street cleaning, and maintaining parks and play areas. 

Without this revenue, the council could be forced to either reduce services or raise local taxes further.

The proposed changes will include a rise in hourly charges for short-stay parking. 

The standard rate for an hour-long stay in town centre car parks will increase from £1.30 to £1.40, while the coastal car parks will see an increase to £1.60. 

Long-stay parking fees will also see a rise, from 60p to 70p per hour, while the all-day charge will increase from £2.50 to £3.50.

In addition, the 50p per hour fee for parking after 2pm in Barnstaple’s Green Lanes shopping centre will be scrapped.

Instead, motorists will pay the same £1.40 per hour as in other town centre car parks. Furthermore, annual permits for long-stay car parks will increase from £225 to £300, with the exception of the new Seven Brethren car park in Barnstaple, which will remain at £225 to encourage its use.

In an effort to mitigate the impact on the town of South Molton, the council has also introduced a special exception for the Sheep Pen car park.

Despite its proximity to local shops, the car park will continue to charge only 70p per hour, with a £3.50 all-day rate, much lower than the fees charged in other short-stay car parks.