Car parking charges are set to be increased across Darlington to raise much-needed council funds. 

Darlington Borough Council has proposed making the “difficult decision” to increase charges across its car parks due to the “significant” financial pressures on the local authority. 

The proposed changes have been revealed as part of the council’s budget planning for 2025/26. 

Increased rates of £1.20 per hour in short stay car parks up to a cap of £5 then reverting to £1 per hour thereafter and £5 per day in long stay or £20 for a weekly ticket are among the proposed changes.

Kendrew Street East Car Park, Darlington Kendrew Street East Car Park, Darlington (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Visitors are currently charged £1 per hour in short stay and long stay car parks. 

A council report stated: “This along with the additional patronage we have seen in the past year would generate an additional £500,000 per annum if introduced. 

“This proposal is not taken lightly but will support ongoing provision of car parking services, highway maintenance works and highway schemes across the borough and is preferable to cutting discretionary services such as grass cutting, street cleaning, community safety and leisure provision.”

Darlington Conservatives have continued their criticism of the Labour/ Liberal Democrat council’s decision to scrap free parking last year. A motion put forward by the rival party ahead of Thursday’s full council meeting reads: “This Labour-controlled council has failed to consider introducing free parking during the Christmas period, a time when local businesses rely heavily on increased footfall to boost their sales and secure their livelihoods.

“Other councils across the UK have recognised the importance of supporting their local economies during this festive season by implementing free or reduced parking, making this council’s inaction even more glaring.”

The Tory plea, led by party leader councillor Jonathan Dulston, says that free parking during the festive period would provide a “much-needed lifeline” to small businesses and encourage town centre footfall. 

“[This] inaction demonstrates a complete lack of understanding of, or care for, the struggles faced by small business owners and residents in the borough,” cllr Dulston added.

Councillor Stephen Harker, Labour leader of the council, encouraged residents to respond and comment on the proposed changes, which include the increased car parking charges. 

“We have wrestled with the challenge of proposing a balanced budget that achieves real savings while protecting, as far as possible, the vital services that people depend on,” he said. 

“There will be things in this set of proposals that people will look at and have questions or comments about.

“That’s why we’re having a full six-week consultation period, for people to take the time to understand what is being put forward and tell us what they think. If people have genuine suggestions of how we could do things differently, I’d be pleased to hear them.”

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Meanwhile, the Darlington Green Party said the council is being asked to spend money it doesn’t have and the Tories should instead call for better local authority investment. 

Party leader Matthew Snedker said: “With its spending power restored, Darlington Borough Council could invest in the town’s future, restore vital services and support sustainable and active travel options around the town."

“The idea that we need to compete head-to-head with large retail parks does not make sense. Car running cost calculators show driving to Teesside Park costs £23, with a trip to the Metrocentre costing £35. Compared with these costs, parking in Darlington for a few hours is very good value.”