Nottingham City Council has sent a letter to residents across the city announcing a proposal to introduce new fees for permit holders. Under the change, a permit for one car would continue to be free - but residents would have to pay £35 for a permit for a second car and £50 for a third.
If passed following consultation, the new fees would apply to more than 1,000 streets in Nottingham. Letters have been sent to residents on streets in question to notify them of the situation.
The city council agreed earlier this year to launch a consultation on the introduction of the new fees - with the changes forming part of the authority's plan to set a balanced budget for 2022-23. Officials say it will bring the city in line with "most schemes around the country" and stressed that most households have one car.
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But local residents have now received a letter outlining the proposals, and a cost breakdown of the proposed charges, and some said it marked another added financial worry during the cost of living crisis. Aimee Jackson, who has lived on St Stephen's Road for the past 13 years, explained she currently has to pay road tax and parking fees where she works.
"We don't have loads of visitors but having a few people here will add to the cost and it's going to be £85 per year," she said. "They sent round a questionnaire about paying for permits in March this year which we sent back and said 'no'.
"I don't see how that is fair to make us pay to have visitors or workers. We've just come out of Covid where we couldn't see anyone so all this will do is push the problem further into Sneinton again because people won't pay."
Ms Jackson said she was worried the permit fees could increase in the future. She said: "It will not stop at £85 per year as they will keep increasing it."
Walter Carter, who also lives on St Stephen's Road, said that parking can be difficult because people often leave their cars before heading into the city. Mr Carter, who has lived in the area all his life, said: "In general the permits are a good idea because people park here and walk to the Ice Arena or town.
"When we go out, we come back and can't get parking here. It's free at the moment if you register and have insurance. If they charge for a fourth car then I wouldn't mind that but you need those three permits if you have any visitors then they need to park as well," he said.
City Council Leader, Councillor David Mellen, said: "Charging brings us in line with most schemes around the country, while the first permit being free takes the needs of local people into account as most households only have one car," said Cllr Mellen.
“These charges would contribute to the rising cost of administering the schemes, which have increased in popularity meaning tens of thousands of permits have been issued to help communities manage parking on their streets.
“The income from the charges will reduce the council’s subsidy of the scheme, which is effectively paid for by all city residents, whether they are part of a scheme or not. The letters we are issuing at the moment give people an opportunity to object to the proposals by August 26.”
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