Changes to the Long Term Parking rules

In response to feedback from residents, including the readers of this blog, yesterday members of Babergh’s Strategy Committee approved some changes to the Long Term Car Parking charging regime.

For some time it has become clear that it is too restrictive to allow people only to park in the Long Term areas for 24 hours.  People like to go up to London overnight, and as it stands at present those who do so must get back before around 11 a.m. the next morning to avoid a fine.  This is now being changed, and it will now be possible to pay for up to three days parking in advance.

In another move, it is now going to be possible for season ticket holders to park wherever they like in the Long Term areas, rather than being restricted to a fixed area. 

On the subject of season tickets, I have been surprised at the low take-up of these.  I know that there are many who work all day in Sudbury who find ‘somewhere else’ to park rather than pay for parking, but nonetheless I would have thought that more would have been attracted by the convenience of a permit to park in a proper car park at a much reduced rate.

Less palatable for residents will be the fact that parking fines will be increased from their current levels to £55, (or £25 if payment is made within 14 days)

I am not sure when these measures will take effect since they have to be approved both by the County Council and the Police.

It has been widely reported that the council has ‘lost’ over £60,000 since the payment for Long Term Parking scheme commenced.  This is inaccurate.   What has happened is that receipts are £60,000 below forecast.  This is not surprising really given the impact on behaviour of removing a free good, particularly since other areas in the town still offer cost free parking all day.  However even after monitoring expenses, some £110,000 has been collected towards the council’s annual budget.