The council has announced a series of changes to parking prices, the first since it took control of eight car parks from NCP in October 2018.

Reading Borough Council (RBC) expects to raise an extra £200,000 per year in income from the changes, which were approved by the council’s Traffic Management Sub-Committee on Thursday, June 13.

The tariff changes show a trend of price increases for longer stays and season tickets, with decreases for shorter stays.

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Councillor Tony Page, lead member for Strategic Environment and Transport, said: “We are clearly looking to target an off-peak, shopping market.

“We are certainly maintaining our policies to deter commuter parking and encourage more sustainable alternatives such as public transport, cycling and walking.”

NCP had proposed a series of controversial changes to tariffs in June 2018, which were all scrapped when the council took over the car parks.

The changes

Users of the Hills Meadow, Cattle Market, Queens Road, Broad Street Mall and Civic B car parks will see some reduced costs for shorter stays and increased costs for stays of up to 24 hours.

Kings Meadow Car Park prices will also rise for longer stays but do not fall for shorter ones.

The only change at Recreation Road Car Park is that customers will now be able to park for ‘up to 12 hours’ for £3, having previously only been able to get a ticket for up to four hours.

Season ticket prices will increase at Queens Road, Broad Street and Cattle Market, with a decrease in the prices at Civic B.

Broad Street season ticket passes will rise most significantly, with 12-month passes increasing from £1,360 to £1,600.

New car park Station West will have tariffs from £1-£8 and season ticket prices including £1,700 for 12 months.

The changes, which can be viewed here, are set to be introduced in August or September this year.

Councillor Liz Terry said: “We didn’t declare a climate emergency for nothing.

“We all have to take our personal responsibility about how we choose to travel.

“I don’t think this is about doing down the centre or not helping shopping or retail.

“There is a national issue here. This isn’t just about car parking.”

The car parks which were returned to council control are: Broad Street Mall, Queens Road, Cattle Market, Dunstall Close, Recreation Road, King’s Meadow, Chester Street and Civic B.