Traders' anger over parking fee hike

Published in The Royal Borough Observer on Fri 8th May 2009

ANGRY traders have slammed the council for a change in parking fees at a time many are tightening the purse strings.

Charges at River Street car park in Windsor were changed last month prompting complaints from business owners, who say it has affected their trade.

Instead of an evening charge of £2.50 from 7pm to midnight motorists now have to pay £4.30 to park from 7pm to 9pm with free parking coming in at 9pm.

Part-owner of La Taverna restaurant in River Street, Pauline Battocchi, said: "It is really bad for our business. We get lots of people complaining and saying why don't they leave it like it was and have a minimum charge in the evening. The charges are not helping in this recession."

A spokesman from Theatre Royal Windsor, said: "On the face of it, this increase in parking charges does not seem beneficial to our customers or to those of other local businesses."

Regular theatre-goer John Garendette, said he was 'gobsmacked' when he saw the change in fees and it has made him think twice about going to Windsor.

Parking manager at the Royal Borough, Neil Walter, said: "The biggest problem we have is a number of people were issued with penalty charge notices because they didn't understand the difference from daily to evening tariffs. What we were doing was responding to their request of retaining the day tariff.

"The car park is not designed for a short stay. There are other car parks in Windsor which offer parking for as little as £4 all day.

"If people arrive after 7pm there are free parking spaces on the street at that time in Barry Avenue and other roads as well."