MOTORISTS should pay more to park in town centres to force them to walk more and reduce traffic congestion, says South Yorkshire MP John Healey.
The Wentworth MP, and a local government minister, spoke out as the amount of money made by councils from parking charges alone jumped by 14 per cent in three years to reach £635 million in 2006-7.
Of this, £12 million was collected in fines and charges by councils in South Yorkshire, The Star reported last week.
Now Mr Healey has said local councils should charge more for basic services such as off-street parking, despite people in many parts of the country experiencing inflation-busting council tax rises.
In a speech to the Local Government Association, he said: "Only one in five councils are using charging to the full potential. Not just to cover costs but to shape their area."
In a clear sign he believes motorists should be targeted, Mr Healey said charging more would result in "reducing congestion, improving levels of health and exercise, encouraging the use of local shops."
This comes after it was disclosed the Government is set to press ahead with a series of technology trials for a national road pricing scheme, which could lead to drivers paying up to £1.30 a mile during peak periods.
Despite soaring council tax bills, the money raked in by councils just from fees has more than doubled from £5.5billion in 1997/98 when Labour came to power to £12.6billion in 2007/8.
Much of this has come from higher charges for parking and use of leisure centres, as well as other fees such as those for planning applications.
The amount of money made by councils from parking charges alone jumped by 14 per cent in three years to reach £635million in 2006-07.
Council tax bills rose by 10 per cent over the same period.
John Wright, national chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses, said: "The practice of local authorities using excessive parking charges to raise revenue is killing town centres.
"These proposals are diabolical in respect of enabling local high streets and local business to survive. We have found that where high streets are surviving there is free parking and the minister should be aware of this."
What do you think? Add your comments below.
READ MOREMain news indexYour letters.
FeaturesMore Rotherham newsMore Doncaster newsMore Barnsley newsCheck out the very latest on South Yorkshire's roads - including live traffic cameras on Sheffield's commuter routes - with our Traffic sectionLatest sport. The full article contains 434 words and appears in Sheffield Star newspaper.
