Car Parking Charges
1st Aug 2014
Parking charges will increase in Council pay and display car parks on Monday, August 4, as a result of budget constraints.
However, Rochford District Council will be keeping free Saturday afternoon parking in Council pay and display car parks.
Parking charges will also be introduced for all Blue Badge holders, to ensure the Council complies with the Equalities Act 2010. The Act requires all Blue Badge Holders to be treated equally when concessions are granted, as previously only those with road tax exemption parked free. The changes mean that all Blue Badge Holders will be required to pay for parking. However, providing the blue badge is displayed in the vehicle, they will be granted a one hour concession beyond the expiry time printed on their pay and display ticket to account for mobility issues.
Rochford District Council’s Portfolio Holder Responsible for Enterprise, Councillor Mike Steptoe, said: “It is unfortunate that we have had to increase car parking charges, but this is the reality of the budget constraints we face. We have had to make some extremely tough decisions following recent cuts to our funding. However, I am pleased that we have managed to maintain free Saturday afternoon parking in our pay and display car parks, after a £60,000 saving was identified from a contingency fund put in place with the introduction of the Local Council Tax Support Scheme. There has been no increase in the cost for season ticket holders, or in the charge for a full day’s parking. We have also increased the time visitors can park in the Old Ship Lane car park.”
The new charges are as follows:
Charging Period Charge
30 minutes 50p
1 hour £1.00
2 hours £1.70
3 hours £2.40
4 hours £2.90
5 hours £3.60
Daily £5.00 (no change)
No charge increases have been applied for season ticket holders.
The maximum length of stay at the Old Ship Lane car park, in Rochford, has been extended from two hours to four hours.
There were no changes to the parking charges at The Approach car park or Hockley Woods car park.
Paying for Parking By Mobile Phone
Rochford District Council has changed its service provider to ‘PayByPhone’ the new number to call is 0330 400 7275.
Alternatively, you can text ‘REG’ followed by a space and then your vehicle registration number to 65565, or go to paybyphone.co.uk to register your details.
Or you can download the free ‘PayByPhone app’ from Google play, Blackberry or the iPhone app store. Click on the sign up button to register your details and pay for your parking.
This replaces the previous service provider – Metric Mobile – and applies to all car parks operated by Rochford District Council.
For full details go to:
www.rochford.gov.uk/parking_and_travel/car_parks
19 November 2012
Hockley Woods Car Park Charges
Residents are reminded that from today (Monday 19 November 2012) Rochford District Council has introduced parking charges for the recently improved Hockley Woods car park.
Substantial works have recently been undertaken at the car park to improve it. The car park now has a new surface and increased capacity. Further upgrade works to perimeter fencing will also be completed over the next few weeks.
The new charges are as follows:
Up to 1 hour 20p
Up to 2 hours 40p
Up to 3 hours 60p
Up to 4 hours £1.00
All Day £3.00
Parking is free on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays.
Parking charges apply 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday.