Luton Parking Fees Set to Rise by Up to Nine Per Cent from January
Parking fees in Luton are poised to increase by up to nine per cent from January, as discussed in a recent meeting aimed at addressing the local authority’s financial requirements. According to a report presented to the borough council’s Scrutiny Finance Review Group, the average adjustment is expected to fall between eight and nine per cent, although some tariffs may fluctuate due to their lower base amounts. This upcoming increase follows the last rise in both on-street and off-street parking charges in April 2024, which the report notes was limited in scope and did not address certain areas, including on-street parking and specific permits.
Crucially, the Council has confirmed that there will be no increases to residential parking schemes or carer permits as part of these changes. Similarly, there are no proposals to raise charges for on-street parking near Luton and Dunstable Hospital. The new charges are set to take effect from January 1, following the necessary public announcement regarding these tariffs.
The review of the council’s fees and charges is guided by a framework designed to ensure that charges remain fair to service users. It aims to cover the full cost of the services provided wherever feasible, maintaining principles of fairness and consistency. The council believes that establishing fees at an appropriate level will foster compliance with parking regulations and support its green objectives by promoting alternative modes of transport where viable.
Arshad Baksh, LBC’s Processing and Representations Manager for Neighbourhood Services, informed the review group that the proposed increase would average eight per cent for parking fees and on-street parking bays. He noted that car park fees have remained unchanged for several years due to various considerations.
Labour Saints Councillor Ghulam Abbas raised the question of whether it would be feasible to implement camera systems to monitor vehicles entering and exiting car parks. He expressed curiosity about the current reliance on parking attendants to ensure compliance with ticket purchase regulations in these areas.
Automated Parking Monitoring Suggested to Address Local Issues
“Automating the monitoring of car parks would enable us to reallocate our resources to tackle issues across the borough, particularly where vehicles are parked on pavements and double yellow lines, causing significant disruption,” stated a council representative.
“Have we considered transforming the way we oversee or manage our car parks?”
In response, Mr Baksh confirmed, “Yes, we are currently exploring available options. However, implementing such systems involves considerable initial capital expenditure, and we are in the process of reviewing the financial implications. It’s important to note that the use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras is not permitted for local councils, so we would not be able to employ that particular technology.”
Councillor David Wynn from the Liberal Democrats expressed concern, suggesting, “We may need to differentiate more clearly between daytime and evening parking. I did not see any mention of this in the document, so I am unsure if it has been considered.”
Mr Baksh responded, “We already have specific evening tariffs in our car parks, and there are no plans to increase those charges. Additionally, there are no fees for on-street parking bays after 6pm in the town centre. This policy is intended to help cover our rising costs. It is worth noting that income generated from parking is ring-fenced for use exclusively on road-related or highway projects.”
Councillors reached a consensus to recommend to LBC’s executive committee that the planned increases in parking charges be implemented as scheduled.
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