ALL but three residents-only parking schemes in North East Lincolnshire have been scrapped – after motorists opted not to pay the £80 fee.
The council carried out a consultation with 1,045 households after introducing a new parking policy for residents in May, which saw the price of an annual permit jump from £15 to £80.
That decision prompted a protest from residents, who described the 433 per cent increase as "extortionate". However, the council insists the rise is necessary to ensure the scheme covers its costs.
The results of the consultation showed the majority of existing permit holders did not want to join the new parking scheme.
The only street in the new scheme is College Street, in Cleethorpes, while Bursar Street and Glebe Road have requested an extension to consult further with residents.
Parking enforcement in the other streets has now ended, and all relevant signs will be removed.
Parking services will refund all residents' parking permits pro rata from the December 1. All refunds will be made before December 31.
Those with unused visitor permits should return them to parking services for a refund.
Councillor Ray Oxby, portfolio holder for environment and housing, said: "The council is dealing with government-imposed cuts of up to £80 million and we can no longer afford to subsidise services that only benefit a limited number of residents.
"Residents-only parking has to pay for itself and the updated scheme represents better value for money for the council."
Jason Longhurst, head of development services, said: "The cost of a parking permit had remained the same for the last 10 years while the cost of running the service has increased.
"The new charging structure means we can cover administration and operational costs associated with residents' parking and carry out the enforcement to make it run effectively."
Councillor Andrew De Freitas (Lib Dem, Park), who has campaigned against the price rise on behalf of residents, said: "Not enough of them were prepared to pay £80, which I think was an extortionate charge.I think it is an issue which we may have to address sometime in the near future."
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