'Increases In High Wycombe Parking Rates Are Necessary'

INCREASES in parking rates in the Wycombe district are necessary if the area is to cope with the opening of the Eden Shopping Centre.

That is the view of Bill Jennings, cabinet member for economic development and transportation at Wycombe District Council (WDC).

The council is proposing to increase parking prices in High Wycombe, Marlow, Princes Risborough and Bourne End, before the new shopping complex in High Wycombe opens in March.

Cllr Jennings said the increases are aimed at getting people out of their cars and on to public transport, as the town will not be able to cope with the expected 200,000 people passing through each week when the centre opens otherwise.

He said: "Many people will want to come into the town when the Eden Centre opens and the town cannot absorb the traffic.

"It can absorb the people but if they are coming by car, we have a problem.

"If we have the expected number of people using roads, which were designed to deal with horse and carts in the 1850s, and we have roads we cannot do much with, the only thing left open is to deter those you do not want coming in occupying the roads. We have to make it so it is not economical for them to come in to the town centre by car."

He wanted to emphasise that this is the first change in four years and that the area's parking rates are still cheaper than other areas such as Reading.

There are other changes being made, such as charges being introduce at the Kingsmead Recreation Ground car park between the hours of 9am and 5pm on weekdays.

The proposals are still subject to public consultation in the near future.

Bucks Free Press, Saturday 24th November 2007