Labour set to 'clobber' motorist with new city centre parking plan

11.17.15am UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 8th Dec 2006

Labour are panning to increase the councils car parking income by at least 8% with a new city centre parking strategy set to be agreed next week. The move to raise extra cash will see an increase in charges and free on-street parking in the early evening axed. Only this week more bus fare increase were announced by Sheffield's biggest bus operator. Lib Dems believe that this shows that there isn't always a viable alternative to the car to get into town.

Liberal Democrats believe that Labours plan is driven by the extra thousands of pounds it will bring in as a result of more charges. Lib Dems have also highlighted that the plan will damage many early evening businesses in the city centre at a time when we are trying to attract people.

Councillor Paul Scriven, Leader of the Sheffield Liberal Democrats on the council, said: -

"Labours parking strategy is completely flawed. It takes no account of the fact that alternative methods of getting into town such as using the bus are becoming more expensive and it will act as a major obstacle to the regeneration of our city centre"

"At a time when we are trying to attract more people into the city centre in the early evening it's crazy to axe free on-street parking from 6.30pm. Many businesses that rely on early evening trade will rightly be up in arms about this plan"

"It's clear to me that the plan is driven by money. If Labour agree the new strategy as expected then the council will see an increase in income from parking charges of at least 8%. Labour are proving they are anti-car by clobbering the motorist to plug financial gaps in the council budget"