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Kingston campaigner takes parking charge fight to Parliament

By Esme Agius-Kensell 26th Aug 2025

Parking protestors outside the Guildhall in July (credit: Gia Borg-Darcy).
Parking protestors outside the Guildhall in July (credit: Gia Borg-Darcy).

A Kingston campaigner has taken her fight against steep parking charge increases to Parliament.

Gia Borg-Darcy, a Chessington resident and small business advocate, has launched a UK Parliament petition calling on the government to legislate an annual cap on how much councils can raise on-street parking charges.

The move follows local anger over recent increases in the borough, which came into effect in April.

Residents and small business owners argue the new charges were introduced without consultation and disproportionately affect vulnerable groups, including pensioners, carers, and the neurodivergent community.

Borg-Darcy, who previously secured 1,200 signatures for a borough-level petition, says she feels ignored by the council and now wants legal safeguards to stop similar hikes elsewhere.

"The Lib Dem-run council in Kingston has ignored our needs and concerns. Councils should not abuse their power by imposing excessive parking charges that hurt those who are really struggling," she said.

"We are calling on the UK Parliament to step in and ensure fairness and accountability in local council parking policies."

With no current legal limits on parking charge increases, Borg-Darcy hopes her campaign will set a new national precedent.

     

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