Parking charges in the heart of Canterbury will increase by 70p an hour despite a stark warning from the Cathedral and high street traders.

Councillors voted through proposals to hike fees from £2.10 to £2.80 in certain car parks, and to scale back the length of stays for Blue Badge holders, at a virtual meeting on Tuesday.

The redraft of the Conservative-led authority’s strategy is hoped to draw in thousands of pounds of much-needed income, but the move has attracted a wave of criticism.

Canterbury Business Improvement District (BID) chief executive Lisa Carlson called for a rethink and warned the increased charges could cause “irrecoverable” damage to already struggling traders.

Bakery chain Greggs also hit out at the proposals, while the Cathedral warned the changes would do little to help Canterbury when competition between cities over attracting visitors resumes after the pandemic.

Nathan Crouch, head of marketing and communications at the world famous landmark, said: “The Cathedral’s concern is that increased parking charges will dissuade visitors, disadvantage our staff, volunteers and worshippers, impact negatively on local businesses - including the Cathedral’s commercial tenants - and lead to increased congestion and pollution within the city.

“Even where visitors to the Cathedral aren’t deterred by these parking charges, it’s likely their dwell time in the city after visiting the Cathedral – including shopping and dining – will be greatly reduced as they seek to avoid high parking costs.

“Competition between cities and destinations to attract visitors will intensify post-lockdown and post-Covid. Even locally, why should someone go into Canterbury as opposed to Westwood Cross or Bluewater where there is ample free parking and you can make a day of it.”

A previous BID survey with city firms revealed that 94% of businesses feared trade would be harmed by the rocketing fees.

Calling for a rethink, Mrs Carlson said: “If businesses which are already struggling go under as a result, there will be a further reduction in occupied units and a negative impact on council revenue through lost business rates.

“While these price increases might plug a short-term gap in the budget, the impact on businesses, employees and residents will be huge and may be irrecoverable alongside the impact of the pandemic

“We need a vision which is for the longer-term and strategic rather than based on short-term financial fixes.”

But despite the barrage of concerns - which included some from disabled residents, who will see their third hour of free parking cut - councillors on the policy committee approved the proposals by eight votes to five.

Cllr Rachel Carnac (Con) said: “Parking is always a very emotive subject. We have to have a balanced budget and these are very difficult times.”

Drivers opting to park in the heart of the city - Watling Street and Queningate - will pay £2.80 an hour (up 70p), while those further away - in Castle Street, Holman’s Meadow and Station Road West - will pay £1.80 (down 20p). Meanwhile, rates at the likes of Whitefriars, Pound Lane, St Radigunds and Longport - where there is medium demand - will rise to £2.30 (up 30p).

The daily cost of Park and Ride will also jump from £3.50 to £4.

The council hopes lowering prices at car parks on the periphery of the city centre will help curb congestion, while parking incentives are also set to be introduced.

The council’s head of transport, Richard Moore, said: “We know pricing affects how people travel and if they continue to come to our towns and cities. We looked to make sure we are as competitive as we can be.

“We need to try and tackle congestion and get people to travel more sustainably, and more recently it has become a priority for us to ensure revenue streams are maintained to protect our other vital services. So it’s always been balancing act.”

In Herne Bay, the hourly rate between April and September at Reculver Towers and Reculver Country Park will rise by 40p to £1.80. Charges will also be introduced at Hampton, Reculver Drive, Ocean View, Swalecliffe Avenue car parks, which are currently all free. Along the coast in Whitstable, the two main car parks will see their fees increase by 40p an hour between April and September.

The parking strategy is set to be officially rubber-stamped at a full council meeting later this month, before being implemented from April 1.

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