VISITORS to Bude could soon be paying more to park after the town council suggested increasing fees in its car parks.

Bude-Stratton Town Council has published a draft revised ‘Car Parking Order’ for the car parks it manages. The council currently operates the parking spaces to the front of the Parkhouse Centre, Poughill Cemetery car park, Parkhouse Centre car park, and parking spaces on Ergue-Gaberic Way.

However it has suggested an increase in the price in some of these locations is on the cards.

The proposed order includes a 10p per hour increase to parking charges in the town council’s paid car parks. Therefore, the proposed new rate would be £1.10 per hour, though, this would apply only to the Parkhouse Centre car park and Ergue-Gaberic Way parking spaces .

The council has stated that should these proposals be approved, funds raised by the charges would go directly to Bude-Stratton Town Council.

On top of this, the revised order has suggested introduction of formal enforcement of parking rules by Cornwall Council within these area.

Parking rules at these car parks would be enforced by Cornwall Council on behalf of Bude-Stratton Town Council, as such Civil Enforcement Officers may issue Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) to carpark users where rules are not followed.

Unlike the increase in parking charges, penalty charge income does not go directly to Bude-Stratton Town Council, instead this is collected by Cornwall Council

The council has stated this change is proposed because, as a small council, it does not have the staff capacity to carry out enforcement directly.

PCNs are set at £50 or £70, depending on the contravention. A 50 per cent discount is applied if payment is made within 14 days, however, continued non-payment can lead to increased charges.

Members of the public may make representations in support or objection to the proposal until June 4.