Rob Wilson MP has submitted an objection to Reading Borough Council’s proposed introduction of pay & display charging at the Thames Side Promenade car park. On 18 March 2013 the Council’s Labour administration agreed to introduce pay & display charges “to better manage the car parking provision”, subject to a statutory consultation which ends on 12 June 2013.
Rob said “Many members of the Reading Community Rowing club (RCR) have contacted me concerned about how the proposed charges would hit them. For the most regular and dedicated oarsmen and women they have worked out that their annual parking costs would exceed their membership fee.”
“Since the Council’s stated aim is to deter commuter parking and support increasing availability for leisure users, the proposal seems cockeyed because charges will apply over weekends and bank holidays! All that is needed to fulfil the rationale is a short charging period Monday to Fridays, excluding bank holidays, to deter commuters.”
“This will probably also have an impact on tourist companies such as river cruises.”
“Once again Reading Borough Council is getting its priorities wrong by penalising the rowing club less than a year after the Olympics, when rowers from Caversham or training here did so much for UK national pride. I think a u-turn is in the offing."