Councillor Matthew Lock, Lead Cabinet Member for Transport & Environment agreed on one of three pricing options proposed at the Lead Member meeting of April 23.
Matthew Lock, Lead Cabinet Member for Transport & Environment said: "The total cost of vandalism to parking machines in Lewes is estimated at £300,000. Regrettably, to recoup the costs of this vandalism it is necessary to increase parking charges.
“I have also taken this opportunity to reduce some prices for environmentally friendly vehicles such as smaller cars and those that run on electricity or Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG). Business permits will not be increased but businesses will also be eligible for discounts on environmentally friendly vehicles.
“The new pricing will spread the cost of the damage caused by these vandals over the next four years. However if the attacks do not stop we will have to reconsider to see whether a further price rise will be necessary.
"The Lewes parking scheme is not for profit. Parking charges are set to manage parking and any additional funds raised would go toward local transport projects. The mindless vandalism of machines in Lewes robs local people of such benefits and has required a rise in some prices. If you have any information regarding such vandalism you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111"
Councillor Mike Murphy, Chairman of the East Sussex Fire Authority who attended the meeting, expressed concerns about the danger to vandals as well as to innocent bystanders from the destructive attacks on parking meters.
He said, “This irresponsible action has to stop. Using explosives to damage meters poses a life risk to every one in the neighbourhood. There are other less risky ways to object to the parking scheme if that is what is intended.”
Reference:
1415
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