Councils Increase Car Parking Charges Across Regions

Several local councils in the UK are introducing or increasing car parking charges due to budgetary pressures. Wokingham Borough Council is considering charging for 14 currently free car parks, projecting revenues of £240,000 in the first year, which has raised concerns among local residents about parking displacement. Meanwhile, Derby City Council plans to raise parking fees at Markeaton Park by 3-5% starting April 2025, alongside increases for leisure activities. In Carmarthenshire, parking charges will be implemented at popular sites despite public opposition and a petition against the move. Milton Keynes is also set to raise its parking charges for the first time in nearly a decade to align with bus fares, aiming to promote public transport use. These measures reflect broader financial pressures on local authorities, prompting them to seek alternative revenue sources.