Councillor David Harrison

In a report that went to Cabinet today, the Tory members were given a choice of possible increases to the annual car-parking clock. Despite, hearing that a great many clocks had remained unsold and that problems of on-street parking remained in some New Forest towns, the ruling group voted to approve the larger increase.

Leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition, Cllr. Maureen Robinson, argued that the current scheme should be reviewed right away, rather than in two years time. She spoke of problems in Hythe and Lymington and Beaulieu that needed local solutions rather than a one size fits all scheme.

She said “We have heard the Cabinet claim that the clock system is a success. It clearly is not. The number of clocks sold has fallen from 66,000 to 52,000 in 4 years. The product is failing to deliver, both on income generation and traffic management”.

Deputy Lib Dem Leader, Cllr. David Harrison, said “Tory Members of the Cabinet are failing to recognise the reality. Local taxpayers are already paying for car-parking through council tax. The additional charges are a stealth tax that even Gordon Brown would be proud of. A lot of other authorities are still providing free car-parking, especially where it suits the needs of local businesses”.

As a result of the decision the annual cost of short stay clocks are set to rise from £8 to £10 and long stay clocks from £80 to £88. The decision also means that the District Council will generate an additional income, estimated to be £84,000. There is no indication as to how this extra money will be used.