Sandy Town Council slashes cost of annual permit for town centre car park by £750

The decision was taken at an extraordinary meeting of the council on February 17 and means the price has been reduced to £250.

It was initially set at £1,000 but the council says it has been reduced by 75 per cent in response to the strength of feeling expressed after the new charges were announced last month.

The town council first introduced parking charges at its town centre car park in the High Street in response to “sustained concerns” raised by businesses that it was regularly at capacity due to long-stay parking.

It said the move was designed to improve the availability of short-stay parking, support the town centre and ensure fair access to parking for visitors and shoppers.

But the council was forced into a rethink following the strength of feeling expressed by residents and businesses, which forced the authority to post a message on its social media channels warning that it would not tolerate verbal or written abuse, personal attacks or degrading comments towards its staff.

Councillors debated the issue at an extraordinary meeting last night and said in a statement: “Councillors debated the matter in full, taking into account the original objectives of the scheme, financial considerations, and the feedback received from the community.

“Having listened to those concerns and recognising the importance of maintaining accessibility for those who need to park for longer periods, members agreed that a revised annual fee of £250 would represent a more proportionate and affordable option for businesses and residents wishing to park long term, while still supporting the overall management objectives of the car park.

The council says details on how to apply for a permit are available on its website, along with an FAQ.

It added: “The council remains committed to supporting the town centre, balancing the needs of businesses, residents, and visitors, and continuing to listen constructively to feedback as the scheme progresses.”

The new parking charges went live on Sunday, February 15 and mean that parking is now free for up to two hours from Monday to Friday, with charges thereafter ranging from £1 for up to three hours, up to £25 for up to 24 hours.

On Saturdays, parking will also be free for up to two hours and then £2 for the whole day, while on Sundays it will be free for the whole day.