Kent, Devon Councils Plan Parking Fee Hikes Impacting Residents, Businesses

Several councils in England are planning to increase parking fees at various public and nature reserve car parks, sparking concerns among residents and local businesses. Canterbury City Council intends to raise fees by 10p per hour at its most expensive car parks, aiming to generate significant revenue to support the council's financial health despite public criticism. Meanwhile, Devon County Council announced a 10% hike in parking charges at Stover Country Park and the Grand Western Canal car park, with revenues earmarked for site maintenance and improvements. These increases coincide with economic pressures on local attractions in Devon, where rising costs have forced job cuts and closures, highlighting the broader financial challenges for regional tourism and public amenities. Councils are weighing the balance between necessary funding and public backlash, with some committees suggesting more frequent reviews of parking charges to better manage such changes. Overall, the parking fee hikes reflect ongoing efforts by local authorities to stabilize budgets amid challenging economic conditions and rising operational costs.