Parking costs may rise in St Albans, Verulamium, and Clarence Parks. Other charges stay the same. Harpenden already charges for street parking.
Six-hour stays could rise to £9.50, up from £8. Twenty-four-hour stays might increase from £16.10 to £17.50. Weekly tickets may go up from £48.20 to £55. Parking at Verulamium and Clarence Parks will likely change. Three hours could cost £3.30, a rise from £2.70. Six hours may increase to £7.50, from £6.40. These changes match Westminster Lodge rates.
Good news, most other parking charges will stay the same. Chris Traill spoke about the parking situation. He is a director responsible for parking. Traill stated many charges will not change. He noted inflation is over two percent and the council faces challenges balancing its budget. He knows residents have money worries.
Traill thinks aligning car park rates makes sense. He feels long-stay prices are a bit low and compared them to other councils’ rates. Harperden already started charging for street parking in February. New street parking charges will bring in money. The council expects £208,000 from Harpenden. St Albans could gain £60,000 from new charges too.
London Colney may get parking charges as well. The change might bring in £66,000 annually. This number would take effect once implemented. Penalty charge income may increase by £70,000 each year. The council improved its enforcement service because residents wanted these improvements.
They will use a vehicle with number plate recognition and more patrols will happen too. The council does not seek more fines; they must predict income for budget planning. Few people park against the rules often. Illegal parking can be unsafe, unfair and antisocial towards locals. ANPR will help with enforcement as well.
Parking changes could add £304,000 in 2025/26. Garden waste bins may cost £66 each. Some public toilets will shut down, while others get a £220,000 upgrade. The council’s tax portion might rise 2.99 percent, which is the maximum rise without a public vote. A Band D property could pay £6.04 more per year. The council only gets a piece of the total tax bill.