So-called 'free' parking con trick (Twickenham & Richmond Liberal Democrats)

So-called 'free' parking con trick

September 4, 2010 12:07 PM

• [Sep 03]: CONSERVATIVE claims that they will give residents 30 minutes free car parking have been labelled a 'con-trick' by the Liberal Democrats, after it has been revealed that drivers will either need to pay £2.50 to register for the scheme or pay 20 pence per 'free' transaction.

Liberal Democrat councillors have 'called-in' the new parking charges for scrutiny at the Environment Scrutiny Committee on Wednesday night and will be asking the Conservatives to think again. Under the proposals, not only does the 'free' period come at a price, but the price of stays over 30 minutes are to see inflation busting hikes of between 5-15 %. Overall, official papers reveal that the new charges will cost drivers around £169,000 a year more in parking fees.

Cllr Stephen Knight, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Opposition on Richmond Council said: "The Conservatives' plan for parking charges is all spin and no substance. They boldly promise to give '30 minutes free parking', but failed to say they will change residents either £2.50 to register for the 'free' scheme or 20p per 'free' parking session. This is nothing more than a cheap con-trick. Their own official financial projections reveal that they plan to make an extra £169,000 a year in parking income as a result of the changes, which include an inflation busting hike of between 5-15% in the price of parking.

Richmond upon Thames Liberal Democrats: