A town mayor and a pair of councillors have hit out at a proposal to introduce car parking fees, saying they would be 'detrimental' to the high street, ahead of a meeting in which a council will discuss the future of the plans.
Three hours of free parking is currently available in car parks in towns and villages throughout the Babergh district, including Sudbury, Hadleigh and Lavenham.
But the cost of subsidising the free parking cost Babergh District Council about £425,000 last year and it is set to increase this year.
Now the authority, which is facing a budget cap of £1.5million, says it can no longer afford to fund the subsidy if it is to continue to deliver other essential services.
Gordon McLeod, mayor of Hadleigh, said he believes charges would have a "detrimental impact" on the "flourishing High Street".
"Hadleigh Town Council have requested more information from Babergh District Council regarding the stated cost of £425,000 to run car parks within the Babergh area and we look forward to receiving this information so an informed discussion can take place," he added.
"Hadleigh Town Council will participate with any engagement and consultation carried out."
Councillor Kathryn Grandon, who represents Hadleigh South on Babergh District Council, said she has always strongly opposed the introduction of charges.
"We have a vibrant, independent High Street and one of the reasons users visit it and traders choose to invest in Hadleigh is because of the free parking," she said.
"Colchester and Ipswich shopping has been decimated as shoppers go to the out-of-town retail parks where it is free to park.
"I am especially concerned at the moment, as many businesses are finding trading conditions difficult enough already, so a small change can severely affect their business," she added.
She said she wants visitors to stay in the town to browse, purchase items, stay for a drink or lunch, and a parking charge or even a one-hour-free model would mean this might happen less.
"Babergh Cabinet may argue that the user pays if parking is charged for," she said.
"But we pay taxes all the time for services that we do not use for the greater good of others in the community - education, leisure services, holiday clubs and so on, so car parking is another service for the greater good of maintaining a vibrant town."
She said she was pleased to hear Sudbury Town Council unanimously voted against changing the charges and said she is planning to take surveys of users of car parks, as well as retailers and hospitality workers, to explore how they feel about the prospect.
Daniel Potter, cabinet member for environment, said he plans to vote against the ending of free parking and added that the move would be 'detrimental' to shops.
"I know we face extreme financial pressures in Babergh as indeed will other councils as they make difficult choices to balance their budgets," he said.
"But ultimately because so many car parks are involved directly for shopping, the knock on effect for the shops and and the local economy at large is too great a price to pay, and therefore I cannot find good causes to end free short stay parking at this particular time."
The new tariffs would apply to council-run car parks, with existing on-street parking remaining unchanged and blue badge holders still able to park in the council’s car parks for free.
A paper is to go before the authority's cabinet on Tuesday, January 9, recommending consultation begins with affected towns and parishes to discuss options for changes to parking tariffs next year.
A further report will then go back to cabinet in April. Councillors on the authority's overview and scrutiny committee will also consider any changes to car parking tariffs alongside wider draft budget proposals in the New Year.
In December, an online petition was set up to help save free parking in the three locations, which now has more than 2,900 signatures.
Some community leaders have said they believe plans should be curbed, including Lavenham councillor Paul Clover, who said the move could "kill retail" in the area.
Amanda Mortimer, who owns Lavenham Blue Vintage Tea Room in the village, said of the possible introduction: "I think from a trading point of view and from a person that lives here, that it would be so sad for the village and such a negative proposal to be put forward."
Meanwhile, Robin Bailey, chair of Sudbury Chamber of Commerce, said: "Our main concern is for all the independent shops and cafes in the town and the impact on them.
On Wednesday, January 9, from 4pm onwards, Babergh District Council will discuss the plans during a cabinet meeting at Endeavour House in Ipswich.
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