Sandgate Castle Road Car Park falling short on income targets: Shock

5.46.50pm GMT Wed 2nd Dec 2009

New figures from Shepway Council are showing that the new parking charges at the Sandgate Castle Road car park - introduced by Shepway in August 2009 - are continuing to decline as predicted by local residents.

Shepway figures of income from the car park now total £5,057 in three months from 17 August to 15 November. They predicted the car park would raise £25,000 in full year income, but their own figures now show they are falling well short of that. The period mid-August to mid-November includes one of the busiest periods of the year.

The figures released show ticket income at the car park by week as:

• 17 - 23 August: £792

• 24 - 30 August: £678.45

• 31 August - 6 September: £830.40

• 7 - 13 September: £299.80

• 14 - 20 September: £230.95

• 21 - 27 September: £302.70

• 28 September - 4 October: £255.95

• 5 - 11 October: £257.95

• 12 - 18 October: £255.85

• 19 - 25 October: £257.15

• 26 October - 1 November: £304.60

• 2 - 8 November: £328.60

• 9 - 15 November: £263.15

County Councillor for Sandgate Tim Prater commented:

"The figures clearly show that Shepway will fall well short of the predicted £25,000 a year take on the car park, as many of us predicted when the scheme was introduced. Parking in local roads has got much harder over the last three months, with people seeking free parking on the street where they had previously used the car park.

"Despite assertions by Shepway Council, the introduction of parking charges has hurt most Sandgate residents and businesses, without looking like it'll even raise the income they hoped. What a way to treat a village."