The protest and debate over the increase in Kingston's parking charges are now over, but the public row over parking charges in Kingston is far from resolved.

Yesterday evening (8 July), residents assembled outside Kingston's Guildhall in a show of community anger over steep parking fee increases introduced across the borough earlier this year.

The protest 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.

"The answers given by the council were not good enough and I will be taking this further," Borg-Darcy said following the meeting.

In her speech to the Full Council, Borg-Darcy made the case that the sharp increases are "punitive" and disproportionately impact cares, disabled residents, small business owners and parents of neurodivergent children.

Borg-Darcy argued that while she is not calling for free parking outright, a more "fair and reasonable" pricing structure should be worked out, not one tripled cost overnight without consultation.

She also issued a Freedom of Information (FOI) request during the meeting, seeking greater transparency around how the council set its new pricing model.

The council was given 30 minutes to debate this petition.

Some, including Cllr Kirsch (also leader of the council), defended the increases, mentioning the cost of maintaining the quality of roads in Kingston and the Freedom Pass scheme.

Cllr Kirsch highlighted the charges were benchmarked against neighbouring boroughs and that the council had reinstated the option to pay in 30-minute increments.

But critics across parties were unimpressed.

Opposition members lambasted the council's handling of the price rise, accusing the Liberal Democrat administration of a lack of transparency and of burying the details in minor notices.

Cllr Giles, Leader of the Opposition and member of the Kingston Independent Residents Group, attempted to move a formal response to the petition that would propose alternative solutions, including low-cost 'shop and support' bays near high streets and an emissions-based pricing model.

But council members voted against suspending standing orders, blocking the proposal from debate.

Cllr Wehring, a member of the administration, offered remorse.

"There is an element of apology that is required here," he said.

"There are some areas of local businesses where the increases have been disproportionate."

Charlotte Salomon, who works at the Wych Elm pub in Kingston, shared her concerns prior to the meeting. She said that the new costs do not reflect the realities of customer behaviour.

"It is naïve for the council to raise parking charges. They seem to think people only go to the pub in the evening, as the charges are not in place after 6.30pm," she said.

"Our customers vary from 8.30am for business breakfast meetings, we have wakes during the day, and we have visitors to Wimbledon or the Hampton Court Flower Show."

The Wych Elm, which has held the number one spot on TripAdvisor locally for four years, relies on daytime trade.

Salomon compared Kingston to nearby Elmbridge Council, where drivers can still park for three hours free near key hospitality areas.

Borg-Darcy has said she will continue to push for answers and policy revisions.

Despite minor concessions, such as reinstating 30-minute payment options and committing to some area-specific reviews, the council has not elaborated on a wider rollback.

Borg-Darcy told the chamber: "This is not just a matter of paying a bit more for parking. It is about the impact on our local economy, our high streets, and our town centres."

The movement shows no indication of fading anytime soon.