The Liberal Democrat administration at Bedford Borough Council has increased parking charges 41 times since it has been in power.
At last Wednesday evening’s Full Council meeting Conservative Cllr Roger Rigby challenged the Liberal Democrats to explain their pledge to ‘freeze’ parking charges in the midst of a significant number of increases since 2010.
Cllr Rigby, who is a representative of Bromham & Biddenham Ward said;
‘At last week’s meeting the Liberal Democrats did not deny that they have implemented 41 charge increases since 2010. This makes a complete mockery of their pledge to ‘freeze’ parking charges. They are playing a cynical con-trick on the Borough’s residents.
‘They are responsible for imposing the £1 charge on motorists on Sundays, extending by 2 hours a day the chargeable hours of the Controlled Parking Zone and increasing off street charges to their current sky high levels. They have also targeted residents and businesses with increases in permit charges.
‘The Council’s Conservative Group understands the concerns of the town’s businesses who say the Council’s parking charges are hindering their trade. The charges are also driving the Borough’s residents to visit other destinations such as Milton Keynes instead of their own town centre. The 41 charge increases show that the Liberal Democrats have failed to grasp these points.’