A PARTNER from one of the Island’s leading estate agents has criticised a decision by the Isle of Wight Council to scrap its free parking permit for eco-friendly vehicles claiming it could cost the firm around £6,000 a year.
Matthew White, associate partner of Hose Rhodes and Dickson, told the County Press the firm had invested in a fleet of 13 Fiat 500 company cars two years ago, because of the council’s scheme.
However, the Isle of Wight Council leader, Cllr David Pugh said free parking for eco-friendly vehicles was one of the items that would be under discussion in the council’s wide-ranging review of parking provision on the Island and added that there were other incentives to encourage people to use eco-friendly vehicles.
Mr White said: "They have also increased permits to park in long-stay car parks to £500 so our costs are now going to go from zero to around £6,000 a year. It is quite a heavy expense.
Meanwhile, figures on the Isle of Wight Council’s website have revealed the council made a profit of around £2 million a year between 2008 and 2009 from parking charges.
Cllr Pugh told the County Press that although the council did bring in more money than it spent on regulating parking enforcement, the cash was used to pay for significant investment in highways and transport schemes.
He said the scrapped residents’ permit scheme had provided a major concession for the cost of parking and reduced income the council would have received through pay and display rates.
He said: "We feel these new long-stay permits still represent excellent value for money, working out to less than £2 a day when used Monday to Friday and less that £1.60 a day if used every day of the week. "
Reporter: davidn@iwcpmail.co.uk