Parking Charges
I noted with interest the comments of Sandra Pell (BFP 4th May) regarding parking charges. While she is right to say that there is no such thing as free parking she has missed a fundamental point in the current car parks were constructed and paid for with taxpayers money. Many of the taxpayers who paid for that construction are now retired and on limited incomes. To dramatically increase charges in St Edmundsbury for car parking is very much a case of the Council reaping revenue in a double whammy from taxpayers. I am sure the council will point out the need for maintenance, but our car parks are automated. It is not the case that increased revenue is needed to cover increased costs. Charges are rising far too fast for that to be a viable answer and the excess revenue from car parking is published for all to see who care to look.
Bury St Edmunds is a unique and charming town, and most residents want it to remain so and not become a clone of Ipswich and Cambridge. It's special features attract visitors to the town adding to the business and employment opportunities within the town.
It is the responsibility of the Borough Council to provide and support the infrastructure that makes our town special, to serve its social and economic needs. Increased car parking charges dissuade visitors from visiting the town. Today as I walked down Abbeygate street I passed boarded up shops. This before the Cattle Market Shopping Centre had even opened. I have seen other towns that have had their ancient heart ripped out by ill thought out modernisation. I am concerned that we can all see for ourselves the consequences of a short term revenue grab from car parking charges that is not justified.
Claims about increased usage reflect that short term approach. More visitors do not reflect increased time or money spent in the town as residents leave quicker without enjoying our restaurants, museums, parks, as they cannot afford to stay long and the cheaper car parks are too far for the elderly and less able to use