Concerns have been raised over plans to double the price of annual parking permits at a north Cumbrian country park.

As part of its budget for 2017/18 to 2021/22, Carlisle City Council has proposed raising the price of a permit at Talkin Tarn, near Brampton by more than £50.

However the proposals by the Labour-led council, which will launch its draft budget next Monday, are being questioned by Tory members.

The plans - which if given the go-ahead will see the price of an annual parking permit rise from £52 to £104 – also include an increase to the one-hour parking rate by 10 per cent.

An hour's parking, which currently costs £1, would rise to £1.10. Earlier this year, two hours parking was raised from £2 to £2.20. The council says that money raised from the price rise will be used to maintain and improve facilities.

The plans increase has been described as an “extraordinarily big leap” by Paul Nedved, chairman of the environment and economy overview and scrutiny committee, and Conservative councillor for Stanwix Urban.

Speaking at a meeting of the council's executive, Mr Nedved said that around 40 people currently take advantage of the annual parking permit at Talkin Tarn and questioned the impact the increase will have.


Councillor Paul Nedved He said that the environment and economy overview and scrutiny committee also expressed concern over the possible increase in allotment fees as well as a rise in the cost of collecting bulky waste.

He said: “I don’t know how it would be responsible to deter people who visit Talkin Tarn on a regular basis. It’s an extraordinarily big leap.

“Given that other green spaces such as Hammonds Pond don’t have such charges, I hope it’s something that will be looked at.”

Mike Mitchelson, who represents Brampton on the city council, also hopes that the council will reconsider the price increase.

He said: “Two years ago the prices were put up from £26 to £52 for an annual permit, so it’ll have gone from £26 to £104 in four years.

“I don’t think it will increase revenue at all, because people who currently have that membership are likely to discard it instead. They won't want to pay it.

“I would hope that they [the city council] see sense and don’t persist with such a large increase.”

A consultation period will take place after the city council announces its draft budget on December 19, with a final policy to be implemented in the spring.