Council takes 'difficult but necessary' decision to increase short-stay district parking charges
As part of the annual budget setting process, South Holland District Council councillors have taken the decision to approve increases to a series of fees and charges for key council services, including car parks.
The parking fees, which had not been increased since 2019, will rise in most car parks, with a new selection of passes being introduced from April to support regular shoppers, workers and commuters, to make repeated parking simpler and more cost-effective than one-off usage.
A study of parking trends in council car parks showed that a large number of users were commuters or residents staying for extended durations, with short stay car parks also being used heavily. As a result, the council has introduced a new commuter and worker pass, allowing full day stay at monthly, quarterly, twice yearly or annual charge, offering savings of up to £460 a year, based on working five days a week. Current users of parking season tickets can save up to £210 a year on their current fees, with the passes being transferrable between Spalding and Holbeach, to help bring more crossover trade across both towns.
The new shopper's pass, valid for four-hour pass is aimed at people visiting Spalding or Holbeach town centre regularly. This would allow people to park unlimited times a month for £15 a month, £80 for six months or £150 annually.
Following resident feedback about the experience of using the payment machines in these car parks, plans are also in place to introduce new more reliable, secure and efficient machines accepting contactless, chip and pin, cash or online app payment options. These will be installed in the coming weeks and are being funded through the Council's agreed budget for 2024/25.
The full table of new charges, applying from 8am - 6pm, is as follows:
| Sheep Market | Westlode Street | Vine Street | Victoria Street | Holland Road | The Vista | Herring Lane | Swimming Pool | Winfrey Avenue | Boston Road, Holbeach |
1hr | £1.50 | £1.20 | £1.20 | £1.20 | £1.20 | £1.20 | £1.20 | £1.20 | £1.20 |
|
2hr | - | £1.80 | £1.80 | £1.80 | £1.80 | £1.80 | £1.80 | £1.80 | £1.80 | £1 |
4hr | - | £2.80 | £2.80 | £2.80 | - | - | £2.80 | £2.80 | - | - |
All day | - | £3 | - | £4 | £3 | £3 | - | - | £3 | £1.50 |
Shopper's Pass (up to 4 hours) | - | - | £15 monthly or £120 annually | £15 monthly or £120 annually | - | - | - | £15 monthly or £120 annually | - | £15 monthly or £120 annually |
Worker / Commuter Pass (Full Day) | - | - | - | £25 monthly or £250 annually | £25 monthly or £250 annually | £25 monthly or £250 annually | - | - | £25 monthly or £250 annually | £25 monthly or £250 annually |
Parking remains free on Sundays, subject to presenting a ticket from a payment machine in the vehicle windscreen. The Council has also made all car parks free after 6pm to support evening trade in the two towns.
The changes come as councillors approved a variety of increases to its fees and charges, including building control and planning applications, in line with national guidelines and to help cover the costs of running these vital services in the face of increasing budget challenges.
Councillor Henry Bingham, portfolio holder for Assets and Strategic Planning at South Holland District Council, said: "The raising and introduction of prices is a difficult but necessary decision for the Council to make in the current climate, to allow us to continue to deliver our key services and to provide quality, safe car parking to our residents and visitors.
"These small increases mean we can continue to provide parking in our towns, whilst also committing to free car parking on Sundays and after 6pm during the week in Spalding and Holbeach, and an improved offer for our most regular users through the new shopper and worker passes."