Bracknell Parking Charges Rise: Support Local Shops!

"KEEP Bracknell alive and keep supporting the town centre".

Bracknell Forest Council is increasing tariffs in three council-run car parks from October 1. Motorists will pay between 10p and 40p more depending on how long they stay.

The changes affect The Avenue Multi-Storey Car Park, Braccan Walk Multi-Storey Car Park and Weather Way Car Park. Up to an hour rises from £2.10 to £2.20; more than eight hours goes from £12.40 to £12.80. The night charge moves from £2.30 to £2.40 and the lost ticket fee from £12.60 to £13.

Councillor Tina McKenzie-Boyle said: "My view is that we have a fantastic town centre. If you want to shop, if you want somewhere to meet your friends, come to Bracknell and support the town.

"If it is going to cost an extra 40p to keep our businesses alive at a time where they are being hammered by business rates, it is totally worth it.

"We need to keep Bracknell thriving. We can't keep planting these huge blocks of flats in the town centre, we need shops, we need businesses and we need life."

Labour councillor Peter Frewer called it a tough but necessary choice. He said: "It is a very difficult balancing act between managing the budget and encouraging people into town.

"Unfortunately I think regardless of the administration of the council, the parking charges would have had to be increased."

Online reaction was mixed. John Winterton warned: "Raising car parking charges invariably leads to reduced footfall in the shopping areas as more people will head out to areas where parking is likely to be free." But Jane Armstrong pointed out: "It's still cheaper than Reading and Maidenhead."

Council officers have argued freezing tariffs could leave the service operating at a loss. In 2023 they estimated a potential shortfall of £266,000 in 2024/25 if fees were not raised. Government figures showed parking operations generated a net surplus of £1.167 million in 2022/23, with more than £3.1 million collected from off-street car parks.

The increases come into force on October 1 at The Avenue, Braccan Walk and Weather Way car parks.

Katie French, Local Democracy Reporter