Today the council is launching a public consultation on changes to parking fees and charges in the Royal Borough. These changes would come into effect from February 2024, once feedback from the consultation has been considered.
The proposals shared include freezing parking charges in the two main town centre multi-storey car parks operated by the council (Hines Meadow in Maidenhead and Victoria Street in Windsor) for the first three hours. This supplements the existing one hour free residents’ parking offer at these car parks and selected council-operated car parks across the borough. The one hour free for residents will remain in place to encourage residents to enjoy leisure activities and shopping within their local town centre and support a thriving local economy.
The consultation shares alternative options for permit charges for on-street parking in residential areas where there is controlled parking. This is to gauge public views on the different options, before taking a final decision.
On street parking fees and charges are used to pay for investment in the borough’s highways and environment, and to ensure road safety. Off street parking income covers the costs of maintaining and investing in the borough’s car parks, as well as making an important contribution to providing essential services.
Cabinet has agreed to implement increases to fees and charges earlier this year, as part of an action plan, agreed by Cabinet and then Full Council, to address the council’s serious financial challenges. The Royal Borough continues to have the lowest council tax in the country, outside of London. Council tax was not increased in the past, and the low rate of council tax means that the council is unable to raise funds to the same level as most other councils. Therefore, the council needs to generate income through other sources, including through increased fees and charges.
The public consultation will run from today until 1 January 2024. You can find out more and take part in the consultation at Consultation: Parking Fees & Charges | RBWM Together.
If you don’t have online access, you are welcome to use the public-access computers available at all local libraries, where staff are happy to help you get online if needed. Paper copies of the consultation documents are also available from all libraries upon request.
Statutory notices informing the public of the proposed changes have been posted in the car parks and on street locations that they relate to, for 21 days from 30 November 2024.
Cllr Geoff Hill, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, Customer Service Centre and Employment, said: “We are sharing our proposed changes to parking fees and charges with the public, so that we can hear views and feedback.
“I am pleased to propose a freeze of parking charges in the main town centre shopping car parks, and to continue with the residents’ one hour free parking scheme. This will help to make sure that residents can access affordable parking to shop and enjoy leisure time in their local areas, and to support our town centre businesses.
“The council is facing serious financial challenges, and Cabinet is fully focused on taking the actions needed to set the organisation onto a secure financial footing. This includes bringing forward changes to fees and charges, ahead of the new financial year.
“I encourage people to engage with the consultation and to share their views, in particular around the options on resident parking permits.”