Car parking charges to rise in Peterborough next month as council aims for 'financial sustainability'

Parking charges in Peterborough will rise next month as part of Peterborough City Council’s (PCC) “ultimate goal” of becoming “financially sustainable”.

The increases will affect PCC-run car parks including the Riverside Car Park, Trinity Street Car Park and the Car Haven.

Councillors discussed the increases in November and December last year, before approving them, meaning they’ll come into effect on 3 April.

At the Riverside Car Park and Bishops Road Car Park, £3.10 for up to two hours will become £3.40 while at the Railway Sidings Surface Car Park £3.50 for up to two hours will become £3.90.

Other increases include:

• Sand Martin Multi Storey Car Park (up to two hours) £3.50 to £3.90
• Pleasure Fair Meadow Car Park (up to 24 hours) £4.00 to £4.40
• Trinity Street Car Park (up to two hours) £3.10 to £3.40
• Wellington Street Car Park (up to two hours) £2.50 to £2.80
• Dickens Street Car Park (up to two hours) £2.00 to £2.20
• Car Haven Car Park (up to two hours) £3.50 to £3.90
• Brook Street Car Park (up to two hours) £2.50 to £2.80

The changes also mean a new £2.80 charge for cars at the Acland Street Car Park and increased coach and bus parking costs at Acland Street Bus Layover and Pleasure Fair Meadow Car Park.

Permits will also increase: for instance, seven-day permits currently cost £1176.21 but will rise to £1300.00 in the new financial year.

Permits for market traders will rise from £50 to £55.

Council carried out a 'comprehensive review' of fees and charges

Cllr Andy Coles (Conservatives), PCC’s cabinet member of finance, said that the council carried out a “comprehensive review” of its fees and charges before agreeing to the rise.

“Our budget gap in the next financial year rose over the past 12 months, primarily caused by unprecedented levels of inflation,” he said.

“As part of our work to set a balanced budget for 2023/24 and increase income in the current financial year, we carried out a comprehensive review of our fees and charges and proposed inflationary increases wherever possible.

“This process saw councillors from all parties come together and work collaboratively to come up with a range of proposals, through our Financial Sustainability Working Group (FSWG).

“This approach has ensured that fees and charges support our objectives and are set at a level that maximises income generation.

“This is part of our ultimate goal of becoming a financially sustainable council - making sure we can provide high quality services for people who need them within the funding we have available.”

PCC councillors voted to pass the budget at a meeting on 22 February.