An opposition councillor has criticised Bristol City Council for “fleecing” drivers after its leaders agreed massive price hikes for parking. Stockwood ward Conservative Cllr Jonathan Hucker accused the Labour administration of approving the rises – which in some cases will double the cost – in a bid to make up for its “financial incompetence”.
Cabinet member for transport Cllr Don Alexander hit back, blaming the “hopelessly out-of-touch” Tory government for squeezing people’s incomes and stoking inflation, which has left the local authority needing more cash to cover its parking services. The largest increases, set to come into force early next year and raise an extra £1.6million a year, are for longer stays, with four hours on-street in the city centre rocketing from £6 to £12.
Off-street car park fees for shorter stays will generally rise by two-thirds from £1.50 to £2.50 an hour, with parking up to four hours now costing £10 in total instead of £6 at present, which makes it the most expensive for a major city outside London. All-day stays are shooting up from £13.50 to £18, cheaper only than Manchester and Cardiff.
Read more: Bristol car parking charges to rocket – with some in the city centre doubling in price
Approving the increases on Tuesday, October 4, Labour cabinet members said the increases were necessary to encourage motorists to ditch their cars for public transport, walking or cycling. Cllr Hucker told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “If you live in an outer suburb like Stockwood or Whitchurch, it is not realistic to be expected to walk or cycle into town, especially if you are elderly or suffer from impaired mobility.
“And there is little incentive to use the No2 / 2a bus service because it is so unreliable. I met with bosses at First Bus earlier this year to present a raft of complaints from residents and to seek assurances of an improved service.
“For reasons that are well documented the improvements that were promised have not been delivered, and if anything things have got worse since then. Hiking some parking charges by 100 per cent is outrageous, especially at a time when people are facing rising costs for essential items and household incomes are being squeezed.”
He said the council was “hopelessly out of touch”. “The charges will penalise people who need to make hospital visits and will be a hammer blow to the city’s businesses, especially the hospitality industry,” Cllr Hucker said.
“The council uses the excuse that the charges have been increased to encourage people to use alternative forms of travel. The reality for many people is that there are no alternative forms of travel that are practical, safe and reliable.
“If there were such alternatives then I would encourage people to use them, but many people have no choice but to use their cars. The council is fleecing motorists because of its own financial incompetence, of which there is ample evidence.
“You only have to look at the £100million Bristol Beacon debacle,” he added, referring to the costs of refurbishing the concert hall more than doubling, which auditors have blamed on the local authority. Labour Cllr Don Alexander said: “I’m glad that Cllr Hucker acknowledges people’s incomes are being squeezed.
“Mortgages are up, inflation is up, and the pound’s worth less – all thanks to the actions of his party’s hopelessly out-of-touch government. The inflation the Conservatives have stoked means the council needs more income to cover its parking services.
“This increase brings Bristol into line with other major cities and all excess revenue made from parking charges is reinvested into Bristol’s transport infrastructure – helping to improve bus routes including the No 2 route that services his residents in Stockwood. Blue-badge holders will still be able to park for free, and the short-stay rate will remain the same, to help Bristol’s businesses.
“He might have made his views better known at the cabinet meeting, where the decision was made. Sadly, he’s never attended a single meeting. If he is concerned about local government services, might I suggest he lobbies the Prime Minister to properly fund them, rather than cutting taxes for the wealthy.”
Read next:
Ashton Court Estate car park charges shot up from £1.20 per day to £1 for one hour
Bristol City Council proposed budget hits motorists hard
Bristol abuse victim and kids fled new home after perpetrator's relative moved in nearby
POLITICS: To keep up to date with latest Bristol politics news, and discuss thoughts with other residents, join our Bristol politics news and discussion here. You can also sign up to our politics newsletter here .
Click here for the latest headlines from in and around Bristol.
