Parking Charges FOI reveals further disparity between Southport and Bootle, claim Conservatives

Parking Charges FOI reveals further disparity between Southport and Bootle, claim Conservatives

New parking charges information has sparked a fresh row over the disparity between Bootle and Southport.

Information obtained by the Southport Conservative Party from Sefton Council though a Freedom of Information request has revealed that residents in Southport have to pay £1.50 for up to 1 hour and £5.00 for up to 4 hours while those in Bootle can enjoy an hour’s parking at £0.90 and £3.60 for up to four hours.

Information also reveals that twice as many parking wardens patrol Southport’s streets compared to Bootle, resulting in 6,920 fines being issues in Bootle compared to 18,108 fines issues in Southport during the 2017/18 financial year.

Commenting on the significant difference in parking charges between both Southport and Bootle, Conservative candidate for Cambridge ward, Captain Mike Morris said:

“The disparity between the parking charges in Southport and Bootle speaks for itself. Sefton clearly feel that Southport is the cash cow for the borough and it is evident when walking around the town centre. It’s almost as though Sefton Council are looking for any opportunity to fine someone!”

“This disparity has not gone unnoticed. Residents frequently contact me with their concerns that the cost of visiting our town is soaring and how they feel no choice but to travel elsewhere to do their shopping.”

“The evidence of Southport being singled out by Sefton is there in black and white and the Southport Labour party are ignoring it for fear of upsetting their cronies in Sefton Council’s cabinet.”
Cambridge ward Councillor Harry Bliss also commented on the manner in which parking tickets are enforced in the town:

“The manner in which parking officials are enforcing parking penalties is disturbing.”

“With one of the oldest populations in the country, Sefton Council ought to be ensuring that parking officials issue tickets in a respectful manner at the very least, not in the aggressive method we have come to expect. It’s backward, uncaring, and does little for our local economy as visitors and can be put off returning.”