'Nightmare' as parking charges increase in budget

Residents have expressed their concerns after it was agreed parking charges in an area of Kent will increase as part of the council's new budget.

Medway Council has also agreed to raise tax for residents by the maximum amount of 4.99% for the third year in a row and will balance its books using £10.1m of government support.

From May, the one‑hour parking tariff will go up by 50p, and all other hourly tariffs by 60p, while the 30‑minute rate will drop from £1.90 to £1 to support local shops.

Tony Sasma, who works in Rochester, said the increases were a "nightmare".

"The motorist is an easy target for getting money," he added.

"There are more efficient ways to get around but there's an inequality between us and the cyclists and train users. We pay enough already."

Rochester resident Nobby Clarke said he was disappointed with the increases.

"I don't think it'll make much difference to those who park up for the train station with their lattes and iPhones - an extra couple of quid won't matter," he added.

"But for the mums who bring their kids in for shopping at the weekend it could stop them visiting this lovely place."

However, Natasha Synnott, who works in Rochester and has her parking paid for, says she is not surprised charges were rising.

"I don't know if the rise will put people off parking here though as the car park is always pretty full," she said.

The council's finances have been increasingly strained amid rising pressure from adult and children's social care, temporary accommodation and other legally-required services.

Opposition parties have criticised the use of more government cash and claimed "vanity projects" could be cut to make savings, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

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