Dear Get Living Team,

We, the  residents of  East Village, are writing to express our deep concern and dissatisfaction regarding the recent and forthcoming increases in the residential parking fees. Many of us have faced significant challenges due to the limited availability of on-street parking spaces, which total only 20-30 for the entire postcode. This scarcity has made private bay parking essential for many residents.

In November 2023, the monthly fee for a residential parking bay was increased from £65 to £85, a substantial 30% hike. Recently, we received an email notification stating that, effective from September 1, 2024, this fee will be further increased to £120 per month. This represents an additional 41% increase within a year, raising our overall parking costs by 85% from the original rate in less than a year.

We are aware that Get Living has justified this increase by claiming it reflects market prices, comparing our residential parking to the Stratford International commercial parking lot, which charges £145 per month. However, this comparison is fundamentally flawed. Commercial parking lots serve a different purpose and clientele, and their pricing structures should not be applied to residential parking. The significant price disparity is unfair to residents who rely on these parking spaces for their daily commute and personal use.

Moreover, the quality of the parking facilities does not justify such an increase. Despite paying higher fees, we frequently encounter issues such as:

Security Lapses: Fire marshals, tasked with securing the building and parking lot, have been observed sleeping during their shifts, particularly in the early morning hours.

Faulty Gates: The parking lot gates are prone to malfunctions, often leaving residents stranded and unable to access their designated parking spaces.

Theft: Many resident have had their cars broken into and have lost valuable items.

Given the current economic climate, with residents already struggling with the rising cost of living, utility bills, and grocery expenses, this substantial increase in parking fees adds an undue financial burden on our community.

We, the residents of Stratford East Village, therefore petition Get Living to:

Reconsider and reverse the planned parking fee increase set for September 2024.

Conduct a transparent review of the current parking fee structure, considering the unique circumstances and needs of residential parking as opposed to commercial parking.

Improve the security and maintenance of the parking facilities to ensure that the current fees are justified and reflect the quality of service provided.
We urge you to take our concerns seriously and work with us to find a fair and reasonable solution that does not disproportionately impact residents.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. We look forward to your prompt and favourable response.

Yours faithfully, East village residents