Monday, October 09, 2006
22/06/2006 Parking charges soar
22nd June 2006
Commenting on a the publication of the Transport Select Committee's Report into parking charges, Salisbury’s Liberal Democrat Leader, Cllr Paul Sample, said: “In Parliament my Party has released research which shows that since Tony Blair was elected, England's parking charges have increased 82%.
“In the last year alone, charges went up 6%. England's motorists are now being charged almost £1.2bn a year. The Government clearly sees motorists simply as a cash cow. I welcome the interest shown by Parliament in the issue of car parking regulation.
“However there needs to be a much higher level of government support for our local transport schemes. It is inappropriate for local councils to become so dependent upon parking charges and fines for so much of their income.
“There needs to be a much higher level of investment by central government in local public transport particularly schemes like Park and Ride. Such schemes encourage commuters to leave their cars at home.
“I would also like to see central government giving greater support to community transports schemes, post buses and the cycling infrastructure. We have to provide serious alternatives to commuting if people are to switch away from car use.”
Commenting on a the publication of the Transport Select Committee's Report into parking charges, Salisbury’s Liberal Democrat Leader, Cllr Paul Sample, said: “In Parliament my Party has released research which shows that since Tony Blair was elected, England's parking charges have increased 82%.
“In the last year alone, charges went up 6%. England's motorists are now being charged almost £1.2bn a year. The Government clearly sees motorists simply as a cash cow. I welcome the interest shown by Parliament in the issue of car parking regulation.
“However there needs to be a much higher level of government support for our local transport schemes. It is inappropriate for local councils to become so dependent upon parking charges and fines for so much of their income.
“There needs to be a much higher level of investment by central government in local public transport particularly schemes like Park and Ride. Such schemes encourage commuters to leave their cars at home.
“I would also like to see central government giving greater support to community transports schemes, post buses and the cycling infrastructure. We have to provide serious alternatives to commuting if people are to switch away from car use.”
