Car parking charges set to increase in Northampton town centre as Daventry and Towcester set to see free parking scrapped
An increase to car parking charges in Northampton town centre are to be discussed by the council’s cabinet, as well as scrapping free parking in Daventry and Towcester town centres.
In West Northamptonshire Council’s (WNC) draft budget, released ahead of the cabinet meeting on Monday December 22, a number of changes to car parking charges have been proposed.
In September WNC announced it must find £50 million in savings to plug a funding gap in next year’s budget, adding that some choices it needs to make “may not be popular”.
The authority warned that the level of funding it receives has not kept up with the growing population and the continued rise in demand for services for vulnerable residents.
In terms of the parking charge proposals, notably, Daventry and Towcester, which have always benefited from free parking, could see charges introduced. This has caused outrage, so much so that Stuart Andrew, MP for Daventry, has launched a petition against the proposed changes, which he calls a “daft plan”.
He said: “Businesses in the town need our help and support not a barrier to people visiting the High Street. They are already having to cope with higher taxes from the Government and this plan of Reform’s will make things much worse.
“The town enjoys a lot of small businesses who need footfall on the High Street and the free parking has always been an important way of achieving this.
“I will be campaigning against this plan and if you agree with me then please sign my petition.
“We need to stop this daft plan.”
The petition has been met with a number of disgruntled comments about the proposed changes, as many residents feel the changes will have an adverse effect on local businesses.
One said: “Seriously short-sighted as ever.”
Another added: “Does this council seriously want hard-working businesses committed to this town to fail?”
Another said: “If this ridiculous plan goes through it will now be even more difficult for local businesses to compete with the likes of Northampton, Rugby and Leamington.”
Another commenter said: “We retailers are all trying our best for this town.”
Another added: “There's one way to kill of small local businesses.”
Proposed charges in Daventry and Towcester
In Daventry, Brook Street, Chapel Lane, Chaucer Way, Eastern Way, Golding Close, High Street, Lodge Road, Lodge Road Upper, Old Gas Works, Primrose Hill, St James Square, St Johns Square, The Doubles, The Hollow, Welton Road and Undercroft are all earmarked for parking charges to be implemented.
In Towcester, Richmond Road, Sponne Arcade, Tove Short Stay and Tove Long Stay are also earmarked for parking charges.
Monday to Friday charges
- 30 minutes - 50p
- 1 hour - £1.10
- 90 minutes - £1.60
- 2 hours - £2.20
- 2.5 hours - £2.70
- 3 hours - £3.30
- 3.5 hours - £3.80
- 4 hours - £4.40
- 4.5 hours - £4.90
- 5 hours - £5.50
- Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays: £3 all day
Changes in Northampton
Northampton town centre parking charges are also due to change, with the most notable the abolishment of two hours free at the weekend. Instead it will be £3 all day.
‘Band A’ car parks in Northampton, including Albion Place, Campbell Square, Midsummer Meadow, Ridings, St Johns Multi-Storey Car Park, Upper Mounts and Wellington Street could be subject to the below changes.
Monday to Friday charges
- 30 minutes - 70p (an increase of 20p)
- 1 hour - £1.40 (an increase of 30p)
- 90 minutes - £2.10 (an increase of 50p)
- 2 hours - £2.80 (an increase of 60p)
- 2.5 hours - £3.50 (an increase of 70p)
- 3 hours - £4.20 (an increase of 90p)
- 3.5 hours - £4.90 (an increase of £1.10)
- 4 hours - £5.60 (an increase of £1.20)
- 4.5 hours - £6.30 (an increase of £1.40)
- 5 hours - £7.00 (an increase of £1.50)
- All day - £11.20
- Evening after 6pm - £2.80 (an increase of 60).
‘Band B’ and ‘Band C’ Northampton car parks will see prices similar to those in Daventry and Towcester. These include Commercial Street, Abington Place, Commercial Street South, Doddridge Street, Grosvenor Multi-Storey Car Park, Marefair, Mayorhold Multi-Storey Car Park, Market Street, Newlands, Melbourne Street, St Michaels Multi-Storey Car Park and the Skate Park, Bedford Road.
The draft budget will be discussed at WNC’s cabinet meeting held at The Forum, in Towcester at 6pm on Monday December 22.