Making tourist car parks more effective
Parking charges at Wealden tourist car parks are to be increased to provide more effective use of local car parking space.
“Residents get a great car parking deal in Wealden,” said Councillor Raymond Parsons, Cabinet Member for Corporate Services. “The Council has over 45 public car parks in Wealden’s towns and villages and has fought hard to keep them free of charge. We are one of few councils in the country that have been able to do so.
“We only charge at our tourist car parks. Following consultation with the parish councils in Alfriston and Pevensey, it was clear that increasing charges in the tourist car parks could be of benefit to the local community, particularly where the occupation of space all day was not encouraging visitors to the local businesses. Not all charges have been increased, but those that have will also provide increased income which would otherwise have to be found through taxation.”
The last time Wealden increased its tourist car park charges was 2001.
The Council is also increasing the fixed penalty for parking too long in the short stay zone in all its car parks to ensure this remains an effective deterrent. The excess charge level will rise from £40 to £60 – when paid within 14 days, the penalty rises from £25 to £30.
Two new areas also come under the council car parking jurisdiction – the newly-built Station Road Car Park at Rotherfield and part of Tye Road in Alfriston. The latter has been added at the request of the parish council to ensure safe access for refuse collections can take place.
