£10 parking permits for over-65s could be scrapped in Stratford District - The Stratford Observer

£10 parking permits for over-65s could be scrapped in Stratford District

Stratford Editorial 8th Nov, 2019   0

ANNUAL £10 parking permits for drivers aged over 65 in the district could be scrapped.

The move is being considered to ease ‘significant financial pressures’ which have prompted Stratford District Council to review car parking tariffs and permits for the first time in seven years.

There are around 2,500 permits currently in use in the district and the council is hoping the move will discourage private car usage on the district’s roads – keeping in line with its commitment to tackle climate change. Pensioners would still have the option of a free bus pass to help them get around.

District council spokesman Coun Ian Shenton said: “The over 65s permits appear to be an anomaly, as only two other councils provide them.




“Over 65s currently have the option of receiving a free bus pass, allowing them to travel without the need to use a private car and those who cannot use buses for medical reasons may be eligible for free disabled parking under the blue badge scheme. The climate change initiative suggests that we should not be encouraging the use of private cars and for this reason it is proposed that the £10 over 65s concessionary parking permit is withdrawn.

“The district council is committed to mitigating the effects of climate change by reducing the carbon footprint for areas that we influence or control. Private vehicle use makes a significant contribution to CO2 emissions within the district and, although it may not be a popular proposal, under the climate change initiative, habits and behaviours have to change and difficult decisions have to be made and activities that discourage private car use should be supported.”


If the plans are approved a hike in tariffs would apply across the seven council-owned car parks in Stratford and the Telegraph Street car park in Shipston.

The council said the revised tariffs would still be competitive and were not considered excessive.

The proposal is set to be considered in a meeting on Monday (November 11).

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