A FIRM of Alton solicitors has registered its alarm over soaring car parking charges which it believes could drive people to make other arrangements - a move which has the potential to hit East Hampshire District Council firmly in the pocket. Stephen Carey of long-established High Street firm, Bookers and Bolton, has sent a letter to East Hampshire District Council expressing dismay at discovering that the price of season tickets is to increase yet again this year and by a staggering 16.66 per cent. His warning to the council is clear. "This business (Bookers and Bolton) simply cannot go on paying higher and higher prices for the same service and will pull out altogether if pushed too far. The current annual rate of inflation is about two per cent. The firm's fees cannot go up by anything like 16.66 per cent so the business loses out, yet again, by the council's unreasonable charges." From February 1, 2003, Alton was hit by an overall 30 per cent hike in charges which left regular car park users paying £480 for a 12- month season ticket, with a further increase to £560 due from April 1, 2005. The proposals angered members of the business community who were furious with increases which were not only well above the rate of inflation, but which would be borne by just two communities (Alton and Petersfield) with the rest of the district getting off scott free. Alton Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) registered strong objection to what it saw as "a discretionary tax" applied in an attempt by EHDC to make up a £0.75 million budge shortfall. Members believed Alton and Petersfield were being disadvantaged when compared to other towns and villages in the area. They were concerned that the "tax" would hit town centre workers who would find car parking charges representing an unsustainable percentage of their income. It was a point picked up by Stephen Carey who believes that, far from helping to boost EHDC coffers, the increase in car parking charges has been counter productive and is forcing people out of Alton: "Following last year's increase there was a noticeable reduction in the number of season ticket holders using the Victoria Road Car Park, where our cars are parked. The consequential adverse effect on the council's revenue was well publicised. It remains to be seen what effect the new increase will have. There is a good chance that it will fall again." Mr Carey believes the council should try lowering the cost rather than raising it. "The car parks would then be used much more than they are now and the council would be better off. Instead, in their wisdom, the council increases rates by huge amounts, pushing more cars to park on to the road and antagonising those who regularly use the facility." Due to the short time between now and the start of the new car parking year, Bookers and Bolton has, said Mr Carey, little choice but to pay the new rates. But, he warned, the firm is unhappy about the season ticket prices and will be considering alternative arrangements. Alton Town Council leader David Willoughby supports Bookers and Bolton in its objection to increased car parking charges which, he believes, have risen to an "inappropriate level". He told The Herald: "East Hampshire District Council has crossed the threshold of what is fair and reasonable. The balance is now tilting so that people are actively looking for somewhere else to park rather than pay what they view as unacceptable charges."
