Outraged residents in Reading are expressing their discontent over the “outrageous” council decision to not only increase parking fees in many of their Reading Council car parks but also to eliminate the free 30 minutes parking benefit in several key locations. The affected areas where the 30 minutes are removed are Recreation Road Car Park RG30 4UD, Dunstall Close Car Park RG31 5AY, and Chester St Car Park RG4 8JH. The revised charges amount to £1 for parking, with an additional £1.40 administration fee if utilizing the parking app.
On various online forums, residents have voiced their dissatisfaction, emphasizing that a typical day out in Reading often extends beyond three hours. Faced with these exorbitant parking costs, some residents are contemplating diverting their shopping activities to neighboring towns such as Basingstoke, Bracknell, or Oxford, where parking is more affordable.
Leslie Clements, a concerned resident, has taken proactive steps by reaching out to the local MP and the Reading Council through email, urging fellow residents to follow suit. The objective is to collectively lobby for a reversal of the council’s decision and the reinstatement of the 30 minutes of free parking.
Steve W, another resident, highlighted the diminishing appeal of shopping along School Rd due to the lack of incentives. While larger retailers like Co-op may weather the storm, smaller independent stores, such as the local cobbler, could be at risk of adverse effects from these new parking policies.
Residents are encouraged to stay informed about the latest developments in parking charges by checking the Parking Public Notices provided by Reading Borough Council (RBC). It remains to be seen whether the collective voice of the community can influence a change in the council’s decision and restore the convenience of free 30 minutes parking in these key areas.
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