Residents' parking: How one permit can cost you £50!

5.10.00pm GMT Tue 5th Jan 2010

Late last year John, a disabled man in Bower Street, paid £25 for a visitor's permit for his son. John and the Lib Dems were horrified to discover that it was only valid until this April.

Lib Dem David Pickett said: "It seems you have to pay twice if you need a permit before the renewal date. There is only one renewal date in each zone, which is very unfair."

Conservative Cllr Mark Wooding has defended the system in a recent edition of the Downs Mail. Cllr Wooding was quoted suggesting that John could have chosen to 'hold off' until next April and added: 'In any case, paying £25 to park outside your own house for six months equates to £1 a week which, in a high-density residential area, is a 'very attractive charge'…'

David Pickett replied: "Anyone who lives in a residents' parking zone knows how hard it is to find a parking space. The Conservatives need to realise that their parking charges do NOT enable residents to park outside their own house. If only. Has he ever tried to park in Bower Street? Residents have to struggle every day to find somewhere to park and having to pay £25 (or £50) has not made the slightest difference. They get nothing for their money."