NEW parking charges "risk discouraging footfall, reducing trade and harming" Essex town centres, a meeting has been told.
Uttlesford Council has agreed plans to increase parking charges at its 11 car parks across Stansted Mountfitchet, Dunmow and Saffron Walden.
Commuters and drivers will pay an extra £100 in parking fees.
Councillors and residents slammed the increased charges at a meeting discussing the budget on Tuesday, February 24.
Leader of Uttlesford Council Petrina Lees, (Residents for Uttlesford party), insisted a council must have "good, prudent, fiscal responsibility" when balancing the books.
Stephanie Harris, chairwoman of Great Dunmow Town Team, told the meeting residents, businesses and workers are "deeply concerned" about the parking charges.
She said: "We are aware all under councils face financial pressures but when increases happen this sharply, they risk discouraging footfall, reducing trade and harming the very town centres we all want to see thriving.
"It will put additional strain on businesses and workers who form the backbone of the local economy."
The plans include raising commuter season tickets at Lower Street, Stansted Mountfitchet, from £810 to £995.
Season tickets at White Street, Dunmow, will go from £450 to £560, and similar tickets at Swan Meadow, Saffron Walden, will also go from £450 to £560.
The leader of the council told the meeting "free parking is a myth" as developing, maintenance and enforcement comes with "significant costs".
She added: "We are investing £427,000 in the car parks in 2026/27 which is far more than we’re raising from the increase."
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Addressing criticism, she added: "I do respect our finance team, I have found them to be knowledgeable and excellent, coming up with all sorts of solutions, so the truth is we have taken advice from our experts who have understand and obviously with our portfolio holder having this huge history of finance and accountancy."
Parking charges in Uttlesford had previously been frozen since 2015, and were raised in 2024 due to increasing pressure from inflation in order to keep the car parks sustainable.
Charges are reviewed by the council every two years.
Any changes will come into effect from April.
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