Revealed: Shepway plans to end free Hythe parking and increase "Pay and Display" charges

Shock parking plans being discussed by Conservative Shepway District Council will see parking charges at three currently free Hythe car parks. The plan is detailed in official Council documents to be discussed by the District Council Cabinet on 9th December.

The current £1 cost of an hour's parking in pay and display car parks will rise by an inflation-busting 10%. Season ticket prices for long stay car parks also would rise by 25% to £500 a year under the proposals.

Hythe Lib Dem Councillor Neil Matthews is furious about the proposals. He said:

"If you tried to put together a plan to hurt Hythe more, it would be hard to do.

"Last year Council parking charges went up, and the total amount of money earned from its car parks went DOWN as users voted with their feet.

"There couldn't be a worse time to suggest increasing parking charges in Hythe's car parks.

"We need to send the clearest message to the Conservatives running Shepway - Hythe says NO to increased parking fees and killing our free car parks."

The plans are available to view on the Shepway Council website as report C/09/60 "Fees and Charges 2010/11 Appendix 2 & 3" at http://tinyurl.com/yj8soa8

• Page 9 shows the move from free parking to pay and display at Hythe Imperial, Princes Parade and Battery Point, and the increase of 25% in Car Park season ticket prices (from £400 to £500 for a 1 year ticket)
• Pages 7,8 & 9 show the increase of charges from £1 to £1.10 for the first hours parking at almost all Pay & Display car parks