Felixstowe parking charges on the up?

VISITORS to Felixstowe seafront are set for a hike in parking charges next summer with some prices doubling.

The move is part of a package to raise £251,000 extra from car parks to help pay for projects to increase recycling.

Two years ago councillors targeted town centre car parks to raise more money, and this time are reviewing charges at tourist parking places.

In Felixstowe, this will mean tickets at Arwela Road, Brackenbury Fort, Clifflands, Golf Road and Sea Road rising from 50p to £1 for up to two hours, 80p to £2 for up to four hours and from £1.50 to £3 for more than four hours.

There will also be changes at the leisure centre, Pier Bight and Convalescent Hill, with some increases but mainly adjustments designed to encourage people to park short-term around the pier and for longer on Convalescent Hill.

Suffolk Coastal District Council deputy leader Andy Smith said: “An increase in ticket prices across the board was considered but it was deemed unacceptable due to the impact on town centres thus affecting their economic vitality.

“The tourist car parks are considered to be inexpensive by modern standards and the tariff changes recommended can be expected to raise approximately £118,000.”

Seasonally charged car parks, which are free from October to February, will be free from November to February in future.

Among a raft of other changes across the district, there will be a move to cut free parking for disabled people - reducing it from three hours to two hours to provide more spaces.

Mr Smith said: “Suffolk Coastal does not want to inconvenience blue-badge holders but does want to increase turnover due to ever-increasing pressure on car parks, particularly those in town centres.”

Charges will be brought in to the car parks at The Hill, Wickham Market, but the Chapel Lane site will continue to be free, and there will be increases in parking tickets for those parking too long.

The proposals go before cabinet on November 6 and, if approved, will go out to public consultation ahead of introduction next April.

Do you think the car park charges in Felixstowe are fair? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail EveningStarLetters@eveningstar.co.uk