Kingston Council has reinstated the option to pay for parking in 30-minute increments across the borough.

The action has been taken in response to feedback received from local communities following the council's routine review of fees and charges to ensure they remain appropriate and support the wider policy objectives. 

 On Tuesday (8 July), local residents protested against the steep parking fee increases introduced across the borough earlier this year.

The protest, which took place outside the guildhall, was led by Chessington resident and private tutor Gia Borg-Darcy and was followed by a formal debate on her petition, which has gained around 1,200 signatures.

Local residents protested against thr increase in Kingston's parking charges last week (Credit: Nub News)

Whilst hourly rates have risen across the borough, the council says it has benchmarked them against similar locations in neighbouring boroughs, and that it is content that they are in line with rates being charged elsewhere. 

The use of funds generated through on-street car parking charges is tightly controlled.

The Council says it can only put them towards the costs of operating the parking service and a limited number of other areas such as highways maintenance, environmental projects and concessionary fares like the Freedom Pass.

The council says that off-street charges and permit prices (including for residents and their visitors) have only been increased by inflation.

It added: "The increases in charges will contribute to the rising costs of maintenance and administration but, even with the increases that we have implemented, we predict that the Council will still have to contribute nearly £8m to these eligible costs in 2025/26."

The cost of concessionary fares like the Freedom Pass, which is paid directly to TfL, cost the Council nearly £5m in 2024/25 and, according to the council, will be closer to £6m in 2025/26.     

Availability of car parking supports access to local leisure, retail and public services in the borough's neighbourhoods.

The council encourages shorter stay parking in shopping areas so that businesses in the borough benefit from a turnover of customers during the day, including the retention of the 30 minutes free parking option in many areas to support convenience businesses on which local residents rely.