Parking fee rise approved by South Norfolk Council for first time in eight years

Car parking fees are set to increase after months of deliberations.

South Norfolk Council will be hiking charges across a number of car parks in Diss, as well as in Loddon and Wymondham.

The proposals were first considered earlier this year, but taken back to the drawing board amid concerns about the introduction of parking fees on Sundays – a measure that has now been scrapped.

Councillors insist the new fees, which have been increased for the first time in eight years, will still be affordable for users.

The authority owns eight car parks in Diss, two in Harleston, two in Loddon, one in Long Stratton and four in Wymondham. Harleston and Long Stratton are operated separately and will remain free.

The charges have been frozen since 2016 but are now set to be modified in order to make the tariff structure “easier to understand”, while recouping maintenance costs.

This will see drivers charged £2 for up to three hours, as opposed to £1 for two hours currently.

The cost of a full day will also increase from £4 to £5. However, all towns will still offer a free first hour of parking.

Lisa Overton-Neal, a Conservative councillor, said: “We are not doing this to make a profit for the council, but we do need to have enough money to maintain our car parks, without all of our tax payers shouldering that cost.

“This way, the cost falls on the users, and I believe it is still affordable.”

Council leader Daniel Elmer, pictured, added: “This is a topic that gets very emotive and it is important to stress that this is not about trying to subsidize the council on the back of motorists.

“This is a simple cost-recovery plan. This is not Norwich and we are not going out of our way to make a profit.”

The updated charges are expected to be implemented by next autumn.