Stile Hall and Gunnersbury Zones hit with 50% increase

Residents in local controlled parking zones which employ shorter hours of operation are to have their discounts taken away by Hounslow Council.

The permit charge in the borough is to be standardised at £60 resulting in a 50% increase for residents ot the Stile Hall and Gunnersbury zones. The justification given for the decision is that the cost of administration and processing of a permit, whether for 1 hour CPZs or 24 hr CPZs, is the same.

There was a consultation less than a year ago about the operation of the Gunnersbury CPZ but no indication was given that a rise in charges was being considered.

The permit price changes and an updated parking policy document were agreed by the Cabinet on the 9th of May 2011. The two zones are the only ones in the borough to have prices raised.

The increase is in addition to a number of other price rises that come into effect on Monday 4th July.

The changes to fees and charges was a decision taken at Borough Council on the 1st March 2011 as part of the budget setting process and to meet a Council wide revenue budget reduction of £18m for 2011/12.

Pro-rata pay and display charges are to rise from £1.60 an hour to £2.00. Car park charges including the ones on Welstead Way and behind Marks and Spencers are to rise from £1.00 for the first hour to £1.50. Four hours parking rises from £4.00 to £7.00.

Fees to use the car park at the Fountains Leisure Centre were 10p for one hour and 20p for two hours but have risen to 50p and £1 respectively.

Charges for second vehicle permits for a household have also been increased.

July 2, 2011