Stratford Parking Fees May Rise for Higher Polluting Vehicles

Stratford’s Conservatives proposed an emissions charge. This charge would affect town center parking in the future. It is part of their response to council spending plans. These plans cover the 2025-26 financial year.

The plan suggests spending £100,000 to create tiered parking fees at Bridgefoot. Higher polluting cars would pay more. ANPR cameras would run the system at this car park. They might expand it to other car parks later.

This idea might not gain approval as the ruling group usually backs its own budget plans. In this case, it is expected to be a Liberal Democrat plan. However, the charge could deter polluting vehicles.

Sarah Whalley-Hoggins leads the Conservative group. She said emission zones need government support, but the council could easily set emission-based parking fees. Software changes to the ANPR system can achieve this.

More polluting cars would pay higher parking fees, and she says the ANPR system makes it easy. It should even be cost neutral for the council. The system could work at car parks, like the leisure centre.

The Conservatives want to remove older people’s parking permits. Whalley-Hoggins said few people use them, and feels most users live in the town centre. She added that they don’t bring more people into Stratford and does not benefit many district residents fairly.

A two-tier charging system would replace the permits, favoring all district residents. They also want £140,000 for a Park & Ride scheme to connect Wellesbourne Market to Stratford.

They propose £100,000 for EV charging points at village halls. The largest cost is £1.9 million, which would fund flood prevention through parish councils. Projects will then help prevent flooding, like ponds.

Liberal Democrats are consulting on other spending. These include £70,000 for pedestrianizing Stratford High Street, £1.2 million for an Avon hydro scheme, and £150,000 for a splash pad. They also propose £2.5 million for housing solutions.

The Greens also proposed an alternative budget and dislike the £250,000 relief road study. Instead, they want investment elsewhere, with £150,000 to study restoring a rail link. £50,000 improves cycling, and another £50,000 strengthens bus service.

The full council will decide the budget on February 24th.