Car parking charges across the Burnham-On-Sea area are set to increase at the start of 2011, it was confirmed this week.
Sedgemoor District Council is set to introduce the changes at all its car parks and street parking bays, such as in Burnham’s Pier Street Car Park, from January 1st.
The cost of car parking for four hours will rise by 10p, while all-day costs will rise by 20p. Short-stay parking for one or two hours will be unchanged.
Town councillors in Burnham this week expressed their concern that the increases will put off visitors buying a day’s parking.
“We should be encouraging people to spend a day in the town rather than pushing them to come for shorter stays instead,” Cllr Janet Keen told Monday’s Town Council meeting.
Cash-strapped Sedgemoor District Council says the changes have been prompted by a hike in VAT.
Tom Dougall, Transport Policy Officer at Sedgemoor District Council, said: “The charges have been increased to account for the increase in VAT to 20% on 1st January.”
