Historically, the ERA has always argued against treating on-street and of-street charges as separate issues.  Nevertheless, the Elmbridge Council have seen fit to increase council car park charges by 25% in Esher and, in some other areas 150%, and at a time when the economy is at its gloomiest.

Where is the justification for this?  We are frequently told that parking controls are not intended to raise revenue, but are aimed at good traffic management.  Is this credible?

Perhaps the truth is that the council is seeking to recoup some budgetary shortfalls.  If so, elected Members are acting contrary to the Statutory Guidance issued under the Traffic Management Act, which says: “Previous guidance said that local authority parking enforcement should be self-financing as soon as practicable.

“This is still a sensible aim but compliant applications for CPE (civil parking enforcement) will be granted without the scheme being self-financing.  However, authorities will need to bear in mind that if their scheme is not self-financing, then they need to be certain that they can afford to pay for it from existing funding.

“The Secretary of State will not expect either national or local taxpayers to meet any deficit.”

Closer to home we now have a situation where motorists are choosing to park (quite lawfully) on the A244 Claremont Lan, a major arterial route of access to and from Esher.  (The maximum number of cars we have counted there to date is 32, but let us know if you can beat that).  Meanwhile council car parks are thinning out because nobody wants to pay exorbitant charges.  Is that good traffic management?  We think not.

We have recently received numerous complaints from residents about the snarl-ups in Claremont Lane - “an accident waiting to happen” is an oft-used phrase - and we are lobbying on your behalf.  But if you wish to add your personal gripe to Surrey CC, please ring their Parking East Division, tel: 0845 6009009 and quote Ref: 83019000.

We have a possible solution, so let us know what you think.  Car park season tickets are now at a staggering £610 p/a but a Business Parking Permit to use the on-road bays reserved for resident (eg on Esher Green, Wolsey and Park Roads) cost just £35 p/a for eligible business rates payers.

One car park in particular that has suffered a drop off in use is Highwaymans - the one past Waitrose, next to the Police Station.  If the all-day cars that now clog Claremont Lane could have a £35 annual season ticket for that car park there would be benefits all round.  Elmbridge would get monies to add to its parking revenue receipts, a car park provision (paid for, remember, with your council tax) would be fully utilised, the traffic along the A244 would again move and, when the Council get around to doing something about permanently removing those cars, their drivers will have somewhere to park without being displaced further out on to more of our residential roads.