NEW restrictions and charges at a town carpark have been approved and will be implemented next month.

Buckinghamshire Council has authorised new tariffs at Handy Cross Park and Ride (P&R), in High Wycombe, which will come into force on Monday, November 16.

The decision was taken during a Cabinet meeting, on Tuesday, October 13.

READ MORE: What the new three-tier coronavirus restrictions mean for South Bucks

Handy Cross will now offer just 30 minutes free parking ‘to support parents dropping off and picking up schoolchildren’.

Bucks Free Press:

A four-hour stay will be £1.20 to ‘support parking at Wycombe Leisure Centre’.

Up to ten hours will be £3, 24 hours – £4, 48 hours – £8, 72 hours – £12, and (max) 96 hours – £16.

Disabled Badge holders and those using the P&R service will park for free.

“Our parking proposals will not affect the continuance of the free Park and Ride facility,” said Cllr David Martin.

Cllr Tony Green challenged the strength of the proposed 3kW electric vehicle (EV) charging points, which he said is the “equivalent of 13 Amp plug”.

“People are getting at most ten miles for every hour plugged in,” he said. “It is not a reasonable level of charge.”

Cllr Martin agreed this should be reviewed.

READ MORE: Find out how many councillors have received official complaints and what for

Bucks Free Press:

Fees and charges will apply to EV drivers to ‘facilitate sufficient recharge turnover’.

Payment features include Chip and PIN and contactless and ‘pay by phone parking service’ RingGo.

Parking Permits are £60 a month, the carpark will be barrier controlled, and Handy Cross will be open 24-hours a day, 365 days a year, however charges will cease on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and Easter Sunday.

It has been the authority’s intention to introduce charges “since the carpark was built” to ensure “consistency” with other council carparks, eliminating the option to park for free.

A consultation on the matter ended on September 20.

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