Elderly drivers set to be charged £190 to park under new scheme - 'Waste of time!'
Elderly drivers will have to pay £190 for a parking pass
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Drivers have been warned of sharp increases in parking measures which will see residents charged £190, as St Albans City and District Council mulls over price hikes which will affect the most vulnerable.
The proposals would see the introduction of an Access Pass parking benefit which is given to help older people.
The pass would cost elderly drivers £190 a year and would give users access to car parks without needing to pay at the metre. It would be valid for one visit a day for up to three hours.
Official council documents detailed: “Introduce an ‘Access Permit’ available for residents born before 1954 and who are the registered keeper of the vehicle to purchase a permit.”
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Residents born before 1954 will be eligible for the parking pass
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Under the proposals, older drivers could purchase an annual Access Pass which can be used at all council car parks.
Councillor Helen Campbell said: “We are committed to being an inclusive Council that is responsive to the needs of all our community. We know that many of our older citizens are happy to pay by contactless cards and mobile phone apps, but there are some who struggle with these modern methods.”
She explained that the pass is designed to help older drivers by providing a more traditional way of paying, making it easier for them to use car parks.
“We want people to take part in this consultation and provide us with their views before we make any final decisions,” she added.
The pass would replace the current senior citizen permit with the council looking to amend the terms and conditions to make the pass the main option for elderly drivers.
But the proposal has already been met with mixed views by residents, with some saying it will be helpful and others stating it is a “waste of time”.
One person shared: “It's merely an exercise so they can say the consulted people. Absolutely no one wants it, there's 100s of people complaining about it, but you can bet your bottom dollar the council will do it anyway.”
However, someone else shared that it’s not just the elderly that this will help but lots of groups of people with additional needs that the proposal would support.
“What would be good is clear instructions on an easy-to-use machine that takes both cards and cash, or novel idea, just put a parking attendant there who takes the money,” they said.
Someone else detailed: “They've decided what they're going to do anyway so little point in a so-called ‘consultation’. They won't listen, the decision has already been made. They're just trying to make it look like they're going through the motions.”
Another person shared: "Why are people over 70 being charged almost £200 to park? What makes you think they can afford that given the recent cuts to TV licenses and heating allowance.
"I think you need to stop messing with parking and drop the plans to fleece us all to park in Harpenden town centre."
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
The council hopes the parking pass will make it easier for elderly drivers to access car parks
PAResidents will have until September 17 to consult on the parking proposal before the council announces its final decision.