Chichester parking charge increases supported by council leaders

A two-year freeze on pay and display charges was introduced in 2018 but some changes are proposed for April 2020, which could swell the council’s coffers by £320,000 by 2022.

The plans were discussed at a meeting of the cabinet on Tuesday (November 5).

If approved in January, there would be a three per cent increase in charges at all pay and display car parks, while charges at two of the busiest – Little London and Baffins Lane  — would rise from £1.50 per hour to £2 per hour.

A council spokesman said: “The aim of this is to encourage people to use the quieter car parks, so that usage is spread across all of the car parks. This will also help reduce congestion caused by cars queuing for spaces in these car parks and will assist with air quality.”

Season tickets in the city car parks would remain the same but in rural areas they would rise from £15 to £17.50 per month, and in Bosham from £17.50 to £20 per month.

Free evening parking would be unchanged.

Martyn Bell, cabinet member for growth, place and regeneration, said: “We know that it’s important to our residents, workers and businesses that any changes to our car parking tariffs are reasonable, and we are confident that this is the case.