On Tuesday, Ipswich Borough Council executives discussed a proposal by councillor Jane Riley to raise tariffs at council-owned car parks from September 9.

This will affect long-stay, short-stay, on-street and annual tariffs, with annual tariffs seeing the highest increase of 12.9 per cent or nearly £150.

Weekday annual tariffs will increase from £1,160 to £1,309 while full-week tickets for the year rising from £1,228 to £1,386.

During the debate, Councillors said the thousands generated in revenue would be reinvested to benefit Ipswich residents.

Cllr Riley presented this proposal to the council executive. (Image: Ipswich Borough Council)

Cllr Riley who is also the portfolio holder for culture & customers said: "We want to encourage people to use long-stay parking or use other modes of transport to get to our town centre."

The long stay car parks in Norwich Road Shoppers, Portman Road, Princes Street and West End Road will have their tariffs increase by 10p an hour, with the highest rise being 80p for 24-hour parking.

Cromwell Street, a short-stay car park, will see the one-hour parking tariff increase by 30p, however after four hours parking prices remain the same as they were. 

On-street parking areas like Black Horse Lane, Fonnereau Road, and Museum St will see an increase in tariffs ranging from 30p to 50p. 

The proposal is to move people away from short-stay car parks. (Image: Charlotte Bond)
Cllr Ian Fisher questioned the rise suggesting that coupled with the previous tariff increase in June 2022, parking charges would now be raised at twice the rate of inflation. 

Cllr Fisher objected to the proposal (Image: Archant)

He said: “I think we are pricing people out of parking in town. I don’t see what kind of message this gives out when we are talking about bringing people to town.”

Council leader Neil MacDonald responded by saying that Cllr Fisher has the opportunity to bring in his own budget to the council.

In response, Cllr Fisher said: "This is not my job, you are the administrative body.”

Cllr MacDonald added that the council parking will still be cheaper than the NCP parking that lies opposite.

Cllr Cook said the revenue from the increased tariffs will be put back into council services. (Image: Martin Cook)

Executive for resources Cllr Martin Cook who supported the increase said that the previous tariff rise had failed to bring in the amount of income he had wished for.

“Residents of Ipswich will benefit from the revenue that people at the car park bring in,” Cllr Cook added.