Parking ‘tax’ ‘unlikely to put off visitors’

Friday 6th February 2009, 2:29PM GMT.

VISITORS would have to pay more, in real terms, than locals to park in controlled spaces if proposed legislation is agreed.

The Environment Department said it acknowledged there was an argument not to charge outsiders to avoid impinging on tourism. But producing two types of parking clock would create additional administration and leave the system open to abuse.

The £26 recommended annual charge ‘was so small that it was unlikely to lead to dissent from visitors and would represent good value when compared to many towns and cities elsewhere.

‘A small trade in second-hand visitor clocks may develop and there is little doubt that a visiting motorist would pay considerably more for his or her parking privileges than a local regular user,’ said the report.

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