Short stay charges in Oadby and Wigston start today, 4th January and residents and non-residents can now buy passes online here*.
The scheme has been revised following a consultation of residents, businesses and other organisations. Local councillors and officers have worked hard to make the scheme as low-priced as possible, within the budget limits that the council faces due to government cuts.
In particular, a residents’ discount has been successfully pushed by Liberal Democrat councillors, to recognise the contribution that council tax payers have made to the costs of running the car parks over the years.
* For a resident’s discount, you will need your Council Tax Bill reference (may also found on bank statement if you pay by direct debit) and evidence which shows the vehicle registration and home address on the same document. This can be the front cover of the V5 Vehicle Registration document, a bill of sale, a lease or hire agreement or car insurance document (if address shown).
Discounted 6-month and Annual Passes
A range of parking passes offer discounts on parking in the Borough. A six-month pass for Oadby town centre car parks is £12.50 for Borough residents. That’s less than 7p a day or under 50p a week.
A six-month pass for the Wigston and South Wigston town centre car parks is the same price.
Other options include a pass for all town centres (£25 for six months, equivalent to under 14p a day) or a pass for all the Borough’s car parks (£37.50, equivalent to less than 21p a day) or a pass covering only the Leisure Centres and Brocks Hill Park (£12.50 equivalent to under 7p a day).
Blue Badge holders will continue to be able to park for up 3 hours free.
The limited number of existing free 20-minute spaces will be increased to 30 minutes and will stay free. The number of these spaces across the Borough will be increased from 8 to 30 spaces.
Visitors from outside the Borough will also be able to buy passes, although Borough residents will have discounted rates.
You can also choose to Pay as You Go, from £1 for 2 hours in town centre car parks and £1 for 4 hours at the Leisure Centres/ Brocks Hill.
Why are short-stay car park charges happening?
The Borough Council have been forced to charge for short stay car parking as the Conservative government have continued to cut budgets for local authorities. The Conservative MP has supported these cuts in Parliament, not just once but twice.
There arre 25 car parks in Oadby and Wigston. These cost the council nearly £100,000 a year in business rates alone, with water/ drainage, lighting and maintenance bringing the annual bill most of the way to £200,000.