Anger over controversial car park fee increases

A councillor has vowed to continue challenging the decision to increase parking charges in a Suffolk district.

Babergh District Council introduced car parking fees in Sudbury, Hadleigh and Lavenham in January 2025.

Then, earlier this month, cabinet members voted to increase the charges to offset a budget deficit forecast to reach £8.5m by 2030.

The authority said it could not continue subsidising car parks without cutting essential services. But opposition councillor Paul Clover said it proved detrimental to businesses.

Clover, a Conservative, said he would lodge a formal challenge against the move.

The council is led by independent, Green and Liberal Democrat politicians.

He warned that rising costs would lead to fewer visitors and suggested as many as two-thirds of town centre retailers had already suffered.

"This decision is premature and has been taken too quickly without giving due consideration to all the issues that affect our local economies."

Up until 2025, the council had offered free-of-charge car parking for up to three hours.

The tariff has increased from £1 to £1.20 for one hour, and four hours' parking has jumped from £2.50 to £3.

Specific arrangements were made for the Pin Mill car park in Chelmondiston, where all-day parking increased from £2.40 to £3 for all-day stays.

However, parking in Sudbury, Hadleigh and Pin Mill will continue to be free on Sundays.

The council had commissioned an independent study by the University of Suffolk, which suggested there had been no notable adverse effects on "overall footfall, dwell time or spend" in the areas.

Jamie Towells, who owns a butcher's in Sudbury, previously told the BBC he feared the increases would force independent businesses to close.

"It's been tough as a business because every expense has gone up," he said.

"It hasn't been one thing, it has been everything, so last year was very tough. Probably the toughest to date."

The council told the BBC it had no option but to increase the fees.

It also said that, despite the introduction of short-term parking charges in 2025, the car parks still cost more to operate than the income they generated.

"Like most local authorities, Babergh District Council faces significant financial pressures," a spokesperson said.

"We can, however, ensure our charges remain among the very lowest in Suffolk and continue to carefully monitor their impact."

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