Visitors to the seaside look set next summer to face up to a 50 per cent hike in car park charges.

By RICHARD CORNWEL Felixstowe editor

richard.cornwell@eveningstar.co.uk>

FELIXSTOWE: Visitors to the seaside look set next summer to face up to a 50 per cent hike in car park charges.

Suffolk Coastal is proposing to increase ticket prices at pay-and-display tourist car parks, plus bring in winter charging and make people pay to use them on Sundays.

The changes aim to raise around �130,000 extra a year to pay for schemes like recycling projects.

Town centre traders are also being warned there will be “significant tariff increases” in two years' time in shoppers' car parks - designed to generate another �260,000 annually.

It is only the ongoing effects of recession stopping community leaders bringing in the town centre rises now.

A report to the council's cabinet says the resort's tourist car parks are inexpensive by modern standards.

The charge of �1 for up to two hours at sites such as Arwela Road, Brackenbury and Clifflands would be increased to �1.50, �2 for up to four hours would rise to �2.50, and �3 for over four hours to �3.50 from April.

Before the new charges are brought in, consultation will be held with town councillors and the business community.

“Increases in town centre car parks to take effect from April 2012 are likely to be necessary and initial ideas have been considered,” said council deputy leader Andy Smith.

Other changes could see charging at Wireless Green off Langer Road, and also at new car parks created at the viewing area.

Is parking in Felixstowe too cheap? Should it be increased? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk