LETTER: Parking charges need addressing

I read with interest the story re '˜Spate of chains sent to move out of city's high street' '“ yes it is indeed a sad omen.

However; there is more than meets the eye to this story. I like many others have now started to shop elsewhere due to the high car parking charges that Chichester wishes to impose on its visitors.

What is even more annoying is the small extra amount they put on each time limit knowing that often people do not have the exact change so end up putting more in which is not returnable.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Add to that many of the machines often don’t work properly and one loses money in the process by being issued with shorter parking times.

Recently parking eyes have been put into place near Cineworld – we were not aware and have just had to pay a £50 charge for going to enjoy a film and a meal prior to it. We are appealing but doubt anything will happen.

When are the council going to learn that to attract visitors they need to welcome them with lower charges to encourage them to shop and eat in Chichester.

Let’s look at Littlehampton, Rustington and Bognor Regis. I accept they might not have the shop quality or quantity of Chichester but they offer free parking discs and rates that make it worthwhile to visit these towns.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

I am not the first to comment on Chichester’s parking in your papers – perhaps it’s time that the council took your readers views on board.

With more new housing developments in the region car parking is going to become a major issue.

It’s time Chichester thought about others not themselves?

John Periam

Leverton Avenue,

Felpham