Page 11 - Phonebox Magazine February 2013

Parking charge increase in MK causes concern for local commuters
Dear Editor
Dear Editor
Milton Keynes Council proposes increase in parking charges
Some of you will be aware the Council have proposed an increase in the Central Milton Keynes parking charges as part of its 2013/14 budget.
They estimate that the increased tariffs will result in an additional income of £1.4million per annum. This equates to an increase of £90 per annum to £360 for an employee parking permit (or 40p per day to £1.60 if using scratch-cards/paying daily). Obviously, if the proposal was agreed by the Council, it would have a significant impact on many of us. On your behalf, we have been working with a number of other major employers and businesses in Central Milton Keynes to strongly protest at the proposals, both in direct meetings with the key decision makers and other influential people, as well as opposing the proposals in response to the consultation.
The consultation closes on 11 February and we would encourage you to respond. To comment contact 01908 691691 or email budget@milton-keynes.gov.uk
Dear Editor
Increase in parking charges for CMK
I am disgusted that MK Council are proposing to increase the parking charges in Milton Keynes by about 30%. It is appalling that the people that work in Milton Keynes have to pay for the privilege of coming to work anyway but these costs are getting ridiculous. Also the majority of workers have not had any pay increases in the past 3 or 4 years so where are we expected to find this extra cash?
What are we paying for? With the recent bad weather the car parks are not even cleared of the snow! If you need to get more money from the public then try charging the shoppers more, at least they have a choice of where they shop, and we have no choice but to park outside our work. Iʼm sure most people are aware that MK council has made the most profit from parking in the South East, running into the millions!
I am STRONGLY opposing this increase to parking as will every worker in this city. Itʼs about time the MK council got a realistic view on life!!
Nicky Pointer
I would like to comment regarding the proposed parking charge increase in MK; I feel that this is a totally unfair and unnecessary increase.
The proposed 33% increase is totally out of alignment with inflation of 2.7%. I doubt very much that any employee in MK will receive a pay increase close to 33% this year, if anything.
The council has already been criticised in National press for excessive profits from charges, and yet still feel that it is ok to increase this further. Is £6.5m profit not enough?? “Councils in England are being criticised by a leading motoring organisation for making more revenue from parking charges in 2011/2012 than the previous year, but spending less on road safety measures.
The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) claims that councils made £411million in parking charges in 2011/2012, an increase of 14.9 per cent on 2010/2011. Its research also revealed that in 2009/2010 the figure was £322 million, making a three-year increase of 27 per cent. It named Westminster (£38m), Kensington and Chelsea (£27.5m) and Camden (£25m) councils as the top earners from parking charges, while outside of London the charts were topped by Brighton and Hove (£13.7m), Milton Keynes (£6.5m) and Newcastle Upon Tyne (£6.2m), with the latter increasing its revenue from parking charges by 51 per cent compared with the previous 12 months.” www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/news/9788849/Councils- criticised-for-increasing-profits-from-parking-charges.html Regards
Kelly Bignell
Dear Editor
Parking Charges
Could you ask our MP, Mark Lancaster, what he thinks of the parking charges increase imposed by Milton Keynes Council? I would like to hear his views on the subject.
S. Hall
D
Join Brooklands Dental Membership club today and enjoy dental checkups and hygiene appointment fees at 2012 prices. Great savings on standard dental treatment. Worldwide dental trauma insurance. Out of hours emergency appointment free of charge*. Redundancy protection. Exclusive access to great savings and discounts on High Street brands.
Don’t need membership? – No problem, you’ll still receive great first class dental care as a pay as you go patient.
General, Beauty and Specialist work undertaken. Brooklands Dental Clinic – the home of dentistry in Milton Keynes
Brooklands Farm, Newport Road, Broughton, MK16 0HU. Tel: 01908 235124
www.brooklandsdentalclinic.co.uk
*conditions apply
Phonebox Magazine 11