Readers are not happy
Claire Elliott and Plymouth Live readers
06:00, 28 Mar 2026
A Plymouth Citybus(Image: Alison Stephenson)
Plymouth Live readers are outraged at comments made by a city council spokesperson who has urged residents to consider buses if they are unhappy about rising parking fees.
Cabinet member John Stephens (Plymstock Dunstone) defended the council’s decision to raise charges by up to 30 percent after Conservative councillor Chris Wood (Eggbuckland) challenged it at full council.
Cllr Wood noted visitors to The Hoe will pay £2.50 for one hour, long-stay business permits rise from £475 to £617.50, and applying for a disabled bay now costs £55.90. “In what world do you think raising fees well above inflation helps people or businesses,” he asked.
The council says the increases fund parking services and enforcement, particularly near schools. To soften the impact, motorists can use multiple council car parks on one ticket, and plans to hike charges for extra permits have been dropped. Proposed £2 coastal parking fees and a potential charge for blue badge parking on the Hoe promenade are under public consultation.
Cllr Stephens said the charges are necessary to maintain safety. “We have to protect families outside schools and enforce against inconsiderate parking. I do not apologise for raising charges. Public transport is good across the city, so if you do not wish to park, get on the bus, it’s good value.”
Commenter Triggerandhisdoggo complains: “Blinkered councillors make parking more awkward and more expensive in the name of climate change, then a couple of years later, wonder why shops close and businesses relocate!”
Plaintosee agrees: “Another ‘nail in the coffin’ for shops in and around the city centre. When will the council learn that cheaper or free parking encourages more people shopping in the city? Wait a couple of months for this site to be reporting the next batch of shops closing due to loss of footfall.”
Billwizz says: “An arrogant comment from the councillor: just because Royal Parade has fresh road markings doesn’t mean the service itself is any better. For those of us who actually drive, ‘get the bus’ isn’t an option, it’s like a rail company hiking fares and saying, ‘Don’t like it? Walk then’.”
Wastenotime adds: “The council can’t force people onto the bus just to justify parking charges, that’s crazy!”
Dis1954 says: “By decree of the high council of PCC, you must take the bus. They’ve spent so much on buses, stops, and shelters that it’ll look even more ridiculous if no one uses them. But in a country where free choice is a right, their approach will likely backfire. Skip the buses, avoid shopping in the city, remember, we hold the real power. Use it.”
Stephen48 feels differently: “I don’t understand why parking your car on public land should be free. Charging for it could at least help fund some alternatives.”
Daveday1 thinks: “The sheer arrogance of the man. He should be saying that to the councillors too. They keep their free parking while households and businesses, already struggling under Labour policies, face up to 30 percent extra just to visit town or park outside their own home. Has he even used the city’s bus services? Buses often do not turn up due to driver or vehicle shortages. There is nothing early enough to get people to town or Derriford for their shifts, and many routes do not start until eight or nine in the morning on a Sunday.”
PL4 points out: “He’s quite correct, any progressive city should have an affordable and reliable public transport system that provides an easy alternative to driving your own car. A minor problem is that ours isn’t cheap or consistent.”
Smiler12 agrees: “Get the bus? There is still no bus stop outside the Armada Centre and Copthorne Hotel. Anyone coming from out of town either has to get off at the railway station and wishes to visit either of those places or has to get off at Market Way. From both, there is then a steep climb either up Western Approach or Saltash Road, and anyone who lives in the North Road West area has no bus service whatsoever.”
Oldgeezer1960 adds: “The cost for a family of 4 to go by bus is not affordable, it’s cheaper to pay to park. That is why shops in the city are closing.”
Would you switch to the bus to avoid higher parking fees, or is driving still your only option? Have your say in our comments section.
