Parking rise is queried (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Parking rise is queried

MOTORISTS in the Cotswolds face a hike in parking charges to raise district council revenue by £150,000.

But Cotswold District Council, which runs pay and display car parks in Cirencester, Tetbury, Moreton-in-Marsh and Bourton-on-the-Water, has been urged to reassess the policy of using parking fees to raise income.

Cllr Sue Stoner told this weeks meeting of the authoritys environment and economy committee, which approved the changes, that it was almost dishonest to raise money in such a way.

She said: I wonder whether we are acting in the spirit of the law by deliberately making an income from car parking.

Kim Cooper, director of development and heritage, called for a fundamental re-think on all council-impos-ed fees. It raises questions about the councils function and role, he said.

Cllr Sheila Jeffery queried the use to which money raised would be put.

It will go back into the councils coffers, but it does not come back into anything to refurbish our market towns, she said.

Most charges have increased by 10p for one and two hours and by 20p for three hours.

Charges will increase at Cirencesters Brewery car park from 40p for one hour and 80p for two hours to 50p and 90p respectively. Prices at the Forum will increase from 40p for an hour and 70p for two hours to 50p and 80p.

Cllr Philippa Moreland said the 50p minimum for Cirencester was too high, and called for a 30-minute fee to be introduced.

In Bourton, charges at the Rissington Road car park will rise from 80p for one hour and £1.60 for two hours to 90p and £1.70.

At Tetburys Church Street and West Street sites, charges are being intro-duced at 20p for an hour, 40p for two hours and 60p for three hours.

Charges introduced in Moreton-in-Marsh in April remain unchanged.