Coastal car park and beach hut fees due to go up

Proposals to increase charges for car parks by 10p for two hours and beach hut rental by 3.8% have been revealed by East Suffolk Council.

The council, led by a Green, Liberal Democrat and Independent coalition, will discuss the fees at cabinet on 13 January.

Mark Jepson, leader of the Conservative opposition group at the council, said: "Increasing charges again this year, to fund projects in addition to parking provisions seems unfair."

Paul Ashton, cabinet member for assets, said: "We would prefer not to raise prices, but inflation means our operational costs are also going up and we do need to protect our ability to continue investing in crucial local facilities and services."

Parking charges increased last April in all 77 of the councils car parks for the first time since 2020.

Two hours of parking went from £1.50 to £2 and under the new plans could go to £2.10 from April this year.

The 30 minutes free parking available in most car parks would remain.

The council says an additional £200,000 would be generated from the increase.

Ashton, who is also deputy Leader of the council, said: "We are committed to improving both our car parking and beach hut services... a sensible, inflationary rise in charges will enable us to continue providing the facilities that our residents and customers expect and deserve."

Jepson said he would be putting his concerns to the administration.

"I will be asking what improvements have been made with this additional revenue, and how they support the motorists who bring their families to enjoy our facilities and contribute to our communities," he said.

Increases in seasonal parking charges brought at holiday resort car parks last year would remain unchanged.

A report to the council on fees for beach huts it owns in Lowestoft and Felixstowe recommends they go up by 3.8%.

The council says it would cover the rising costs of "utilities, maintenance and staffing".

The rise is for casual lettings and annual licences.

A peak season weekly beach hut rental in Felixstowe will go up by £5 to £155 and for Lowestoft from £80 to £83.

Plans to have a singular charging system for the beach huts will also be discussed at the meeting.

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