Backlash over Wokingham and Woodley car park charge hike

Recently, Wokingham Borough Council undertook a consultation into its move to increase charges at off street car parks across the borough.

Of those who responded, 156 submitted objections and only four people wrote to support the changes.

However, a councillor has sounded the alarm over some negative response not being counted.

Cllr Keith Baker (Conservative, Coronation) has pointed out that dozens of negative responses have not been classified as objections.

That’s because those responses which do not contain ‘objection’ or ‘object’ in them have been counted as ‘comments’, with 122 responses being put into that category.

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Cllr Baker explained: “There were 282 responses of which Wokingham Borough Council has classified as 156 objections; four supporters and 122 unclassified comments.

“This is effectively a resounding NO to the changes.

“However, when you analyse the 122 comments you discover that unless to used the words ‘Objection’ or ‘Object’ your responses were put into the ‘comments’ bucket.

“Further analysis of those comments highlighted that even if you said ‘complaining about the increases’; ‘Do not increase charges’ or “I do not agree” they were NOT put into the Objections comments.

“This actually moved another 90 into the objections number.

“So now you have 246 objections and four supporters.”

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Cllr Baker has been campaigning for the increases to be scrapped as a representative for Woodley, where the charges would affect the Crockhamwell Road, Headley Road and Lytham Road car parks.

Cllr Baker added: “Many are probably wondering what the Conservatives would do if they regained control in May. The commitment is clear these changes, which are scheduled to take place after the elections would not be implemented.”

The increase in charges would affect the off street car parks in the borough, which includes all charging car parks in Wokingham, Earley, Shinfield, Winnersh, Finchampstead,  Twyford and Wargrave.

The fare increases are scaled and are separated between car parks in Wokingham Town and those in the rest of the borough.

Proposed changes to parking charges in Wokingham Town car parks. Credit: Wokingham Borough Council

Despite the backlash to the consultation, Simon Dale, the council’s executive director for Place and Growth argued there were “no material reasons” to change plans for the increases.

Therefore the increases are set to be approved by Wokingham Borough Council’s executive committee on Tuesday, March 21.

In order for the price hike to be made, the council’s executive committee has to approve a traffic regulation order.

Proposed changes to car park charges in Wokingham Borough outside of Wokingham Town. Credit: Wokingham Borough Council

The council administration predicts the price hike will generate an additional £540,000 in income.

Defending the proposal, cllr Paul Fishwick (Liberal Democrats, Winnersh), executive member for highways, said: “We took people’s feedback on board before agreeing the increase, and we promise we’ll listen to you again when we consult on the traffic regulation order.

“We’ve got to be realistic – we have to make up the shortfall somehow and keeping parking charges at the current level isn’t an option.

“However, we were able to amend the proposal when you last shared your concerns – and if you identify further changes that might be feasible, we’ll do what we can.

“For reasons beyond our control, our finances are increasingly limited and we have to increase car parking charges to protect our road network. As a council, we will always choose to help people, to prioritise those who would otherwise struggle to heat their homes, feed their children and keep a roof over their heads. It’s never easy to make unpopular decisions, but we firmly believe it’s the right one.”