Car parking costs rise

BELOW inflation price increases were the most eye-catching part of Rother's review of fees and charges on Monday.

Cabinet members agreed to bring the new prices into effect from April 1, 2009.

Most increases fell between two and five per cent.

UK inflation is currently running at 5.25 per cent, according to the consumer price index (CPI).

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Some of the largest rises will be in car parking fees, with costs increasing by five per cent in some cases '“ in line with the current retail price index (RPI) rate of inflation, said officers.

Charges were rounded to the nearest 10 pence to avoid people needing to find correct change and to control the volume of coins collected from machines.

There will be no on-street parking charges brought into Bexhill as part of the agreement reached by members. The contentious issue is due to be reviewed, but the experience of other authorities in East Sussex has delayed the process for the present time.

For 2009/10 an hourly stay at the De La Warr Pavilion car park will remain 80p, but a stay of one to two hours will rise from 2.20 to 2.30. At two to four hour stay will go up from 4.50 to 4.70, and a stay of over four hours will cost 30p more at 5.80.

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Parking at Eversley Road will cost 1.30 for a stay of one hour '“ an increase of 10p. A one to two hour stay will cost 2.60, another 10p rise, and a two-to-four hour stay will change from 3 to 3.20. A 30p increase will be put in place on a stay of over four hours, which will cost 5.30.

Car parking at Wainwright Road will remain free for up to one hour.

Yearly parking permits will go up from 360 to 378 '“ an increase of five per cent. Members decided there would be no increase in garden and allotment fees.

There will also be no increase in the cost of pitch hire for youth football and colt cricket in the district.

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The cost of dying will go up by four per cent. Burials for adults will cost 760 from 735. Cremation will increase to 192 from 185.

Cllr Deirdre Williams said she was pleased on-street parking charges had yet to be proposed and supported price increases for parking being in line with inflation.

She said: "Our traders are suffering as it is and that (on-street charges) would put the tin hat on it. When the town centre is regenerated we could look again maybe."

Cllr Joy Hughes recommended the free town centre parking at Wainwright Road.

She said: "I wish this was used a lot more because it is always empty."

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