Row over increasing car parking charges in Sudbury, Hadleigh and Lavenham continues

The row over car parking fees in Babergh has continued after councillors said they had no other choice but to start charging for short stays.

Yesterday, members of Babergh’s cabinet were joined by several opposition councillors to debate a controversial proposal to charge for short-term car parking stays.

Currently, the district council picks up the £452,000 bill relating to all stays under three hours in council car parks in villages and towns, including Sudbury, Hadleigh and Lavenham.

However, due to a predicted £1.8m budget gap, council leader, John Ward, said the council had no other choice but to stop subsidising free parking.

He said: “The council cannot continue this level of subsidy if it wants to continue to deliver its car parking strategy and indeed continue to deliver other essential services.

“Financially, we have no realistic option. This will, despite protestations to the contrary, benefit the towns in the long run, and it is fair.”

Cabinet members unanimously approved a consultation to determine what the changes to the current system would look like.

Although these changes, should they be approved, would only come into effect in the next financial year, the proposals sparked a great deal of controversy and criticisms over worries they would hurt town centre businesses.

Cllr Alison Owen, who represents Sudbury north east, opposed the proposal and said businesses were still recovering from the financial impacts of the pandemic.

She added: “As town centre dwell times increase, it is reassuring for our businesses and customers to know they can spend more time and money with our town’s businesses.”

Cabinet member, Cllr Jessie Carter, who represents Sudbury north west, also pointed out that the proposals would mean more drivers parking in residential areas.

But deputy leader, Cllr Deborah Saw, said the proposal would have little to no impact on the viability of town centre businesses, with every other option having already been considered.

She said: “I know people are very passionate about this and they got very exercised, but we’re not talking about airport levels of car parking here, we’re talking about a very small charge.

“This will not be a large amount of money and we are very keen to minimise those changes and to run a car parking service that is accessible and convenient and actually does help towns and businesses.

“I’m not enamoured of charging for parking, but there is no other alternative — this is not a knee-jerk reaction on our part.”