Residents in Gloucester and Cheltenham are mounting a strong opposition to Gloucestershire County Council’s proposed hike in parking permit fees, with many describing the move as a “desperate money grab.” An online petition initiated by Cheltenham resident Ian Weaving has already gathered dozens of signatures, reflecting widespread frustration.
The council’s budget proposal aims to raise an additional £338,000 annually by increasing fees for residential parking permits and on-street parking. Starting in April, the charge for a household’s first parking permit would jump from £63.60 to £80—a 25.8% increase. The fee for a second permit would rise from £127.35 to £160. On-street parking charges are also slated to increase above inflation rates.
These steep rises drew sharp criticism during a recent meeting at Shire Hall. Councillor Jeremy Hilton, a fellow Liberal Democrat, condemned the justification for the increases as “bull****.” Ian Weaving echoed these sentiments, calling the hike unjustified and pointing to the council’s mismanagement of previous parking schemes that squandered significant funds.
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Weaving highlighted past failures, including over £900,000 wasted on the rejected Zone 15 parking scheme and £156,000 lost on an unsuccessful Stroud parking proposal. He questioned the council’s rationale given that income from permits between April 2023 and March 2024 exceeded £1.1 million, not including parking fines.
According to council guidelines, residential parking schemes should operate without imposing a financial burden on the council. Residents argue that the council must demonstrate full transparency on how surplus funds are reinvested into highways and related services.
The proposed increases affect various permit holders: business permits would climb from £339.90 to £400, with a second permit costing £500. Carer permits, which are currently free, would have a £30 charge. Comparing these fees to neighboring counties underscores the disparity—Worcestershire charges £30 for a first permit and £40 for a second, while Wiltshire’s fees are £35 and £75 respectively.
In response, Cabinet Member Colin Hay defended the increases, stating that the council has carefully reviewed its budget to support vital services such as roads, schools, social care, and emergency services. He explained that an independent review found the permit schemes are currently running a deficit, necessitating the proposed rises to close the funding gap.
To ease the burden, the council plans to introduce monthly payment options, with the first permit costing £6.67 per month (up £1.37) and the second £13.33 per month (up £2.72). Hay emphasized that all revenue from on-street parking is legally ring-fenced for parking-related services, road repairs, and local transport improvements.
Despite this, many residents remain unconvinced, viewing the increases as excessive and untimely given the financial pressures already facing households.