We are opposed to the proposed levying of car-parking charges across the five market towns within Breckland District on the following grounds:

Residents are already badly suffering from a cost-of-living crisis and further expense couldn’t come at a worse time.

The market towns are already struggling, particularly in the town centres with empty shops – and this proposal will only exacerbate poor footfall where it is most needed.

It will be Small to Medium Enterprises who will bear the brunt of these new costs as customers will continue to pour into out-of-town national retail outlets.

Once imposed, the charge would be an easy target for the Council to further increase prices each and every time they need to squeeze yet more money from hard up residents.

We endlessly hear what a “prudent” Council Breckland are, yet here they are imposing a tax on the motorist because of an overspend almost the same day as they announced a historic £600,000 windfall being placed into reserves.

The tax is unfair on local employees -and will make jobs less attractive in a region with rates of pay already among the lowest in the country.

Existing private car parks such as supermarkets within town centres will be likely to charge to keep their premises available for customers.

We’ve been promised a consultation. Let’s hope this is full and fair. 

Sign NOW to halt this unfair charge!