Plan to put up parking fees as deficit grows

A council in Suffolk is considering raising car park fees, citing a budget gap that has increased by nearly £2m.

Babergh District Council introduced charges in January last year in Sudbury, Hadleigh and Lavenham as part of a bid to offset a budget deficit of £6.7m over the next four years.

The deficit forecast has now been increased to £8.5m, according to a new report.

Putting up the fees and introducing charges for parking on Sundays would increase income by £270,000 in 2026-27, the local authority said.

In the report, the council said it continued to "experience significant financial pressures".

It is proposing to increase short and long-stay tariffs, introduce Sunday charges, revise the tariff structure at Pin Mill car park in Chelmondiston, and increase season ticket prices.

Tariff increases would start with a 20p rise for one hour to £1.20, up to a 50p rise to £3 for four hours.

Charges at Pin Mill would double for some visits – two hours would increase to £1.20 from 60p.

The council said it would standardise parking across all its car parks between 08:00 and 18:00 every day, including bank holidays.

In September, it said there had been more visitors despite the introduction of the charges.

The latest proposed changes will be discussed at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.