Letter in response to Breckland Council car parking charge proposals and consultation.
November 2024.
Links in letter:
Content of letter:
“Dear Mr Burton
I am writing on behalf of Thetford Town Council and our residents to strongly oppose the recent decision to introduce car parking charges in Thetford’s town car parks, which have long served as an essential community resource at no cost to residents.
This change in car park policy presents significant challenges and concerns for our community, particularly considering Thetford’s economic profile as one of the most deprived areas in the Breckland district.
According to recent reports and data, Thetford faces disproportionately high levels of deprivation within Breckland, a fact that has been consistently acknowledged by Breckland Council in various strategic documents. For instance, many areas within Thetford are ranked among the most deprived neighbourhoods nationally, based on indices such as income, employment, and access to services.
The introduction of parking fees particularly at higher rates than other more affluent Towns in the District that you are proposing risks exacerbating these economic pressures on our residents who are already living and bearing the brunt of financial hardship as highlighted in the Breckland’s Town Delivery plan.
More importantly, Thetford’s car parks serve a critical function, not just for residents but for visitors who rely on these facilities for access to essential services, including medical practices and pharmacies. They also support a significant volunteer base that contributes to the upkeep and operation of the town’s heritage sites, including the Dad’s Army Museum and Ancient House Museum.
Another item to consider is the financial strain these charges will place on employees who commute to Thetford from surrounding areas. Many of these workers, who already face the costs of travel, stand to lose a portion of their weekly income to parking fees, which would be equivalent to more than two hours of their wages each week. This added burden could deter workers from commuting into Thetford, impacting local businesses that rely on their contributions and exacerbating financial pressures on individuals already managing tight budgets.
By imposing parking charges, we risk deterring both residents and visitors from using these vital resources, ultimately reducing footfall in the town centre and placing additional strain on small businesses and museums already struggling to recover post-pandemic.
Breckland District Council’s decision to introduce car parking charges undermines Thetford’s community resilience by placing an undue burden on residents who rely on affordable access to local services. For the sake of equality, we strongly urge Breckland District Council to reconsider this decision and explore alternative funding models that do
not unfairly penalise Thetford residents or further deepen the economic challenges faced by our residents.
Thank you for considering this perspective. We are deeply disheartened by this decision, as our residents will not support a measure that places additional financial strain on their already limited resources. We hope to work together to find a solution that genuinely prioritises the well-being of Thetford’s residents and local businesses
Kind Regards
Thetford Town Council”