Council to increase parking costs at some sites

A Surrey council is increasing parking charges at some sites across the borough from April.

Runnymede Borough Council (RBC) said "a wholesale review" had been carried out before it decided to implement the changes.

The review was carried out against a backdrop of the council needing to reduce its day-to-day spending by £4.1m by 2027-28, said RBC.

As part of the changes, RBC said that town centre car park prices would increase by 10p an hour and out of town car parks would go up by 5p per hour.

It said that it would also bring in a flat rate £2 evening and £3 overnight charge where appropriate.

Drivers who park at open spaces car parks will be able to use them for free for three hours before a flat rate fee of £2.80 will become active.

RBC added that half an hour's free parking in two locations in Egham would be introduced and it was setting up a new process to allow free parking for some community events.

A council spokesperson said: "We don't intend to close any locations and no-one wants to increase charges, but we have to take difficult decisions to balance our books.

"These charges are likely to be a tiny percentage in overall costs for people, but they will mean that our parking service continues to be self-sustaining and our limited funds can be used for other important purposes."

The increased charges will be put towards lighting and CCTV, signage and new ticket machines or automatic number plate registration.

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