RESIDENTS in the Crediton area will see an increase in charges for car parking as the Council strives to maintain services, despite a decrease in funding.

Following a review of fees and charges in Mid Devon, Members voted to increase charges as the Council continues to balance the need to raise revenue following cuts in Government funding, while needing to maintain our facilities and provide value for money for our residents.

The new charges will come into effect from March 7, 2023.

Cllr Colin Slade, Cabinet Member for the Environment and Climate Change said:

“Set against a back drop of cuts by the Government, our continued recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, and the rise in costs of materials as a Council we have decided to increase our fees, rather than implement significant cuts to our services.

“We fully understand the need to encourage people to visit and shop in our towns but we feel this small rise, which for many will be a 20 pence increase for a two hour parking period, will allow us to offset some of our rising costs and still allow people to park at a reasonable rate in Mid Devon.” 

For the past three years regular parking charges in Mid Devon have been static, while annual parking permits have not risen since 2017.

During this time, however, inflation has risen sharply and material costs have escalated.

As a result from 2023 annual permits will mean car park users will be charged the equivalent of £2.50 per day (currently £1.17 per day) and regular parking tariffs will also rise but despite the new tariffs the Council is confident parking charges in Mid Devon will remain some of the lowest in the county.

The new charges for High Street Car Park at St Saviours in Crediton will increase from Monday to Saturday from 8am to 6pm:

Up to one hour - £2

Up to two hours - £3 (currently £1.80)

Up to five hours - £4 (currently £2.50)

Up to 10 hours - £10 (currently £3)

• Up to 24 hours - £15 (currently £5)

Sundays and Bank Holidays 8am to 6pm:

Up to 10 hours - £2 (currently £1)

Overnight - 6pm to 8am:

Up to 30 minutes free (same)

Up to 14 hours - £2 (currently £1).

The new charges for Market Street, Crediton are:

Up to one hour - £2 (currently £1.25)

Up to two hours - £3 (currently £2.20).

Sundays and Bank Holidays:

Up to 10 hours - £2 (currently £1)

Overnight - 6pm to 8am:

Up to 30 minutes free (same)

Up to 14 hours - £2 (currently £1).

For more information visit: /www.middevon.gov.uk/fees-increase-for-council-services/ .