MORE than 400 Basingstoke residents have signed a petition calling on the council to reverse increased parking permit charges in residential areas.

The petition was started by Cllr Paul Harvey (BDI, Norden) and he presented it to the council at a meeting earlier this month.

Cllr Harvey described the “exorbitant” increase in permit costs, which rose from £25 to £40, plus an additional £40 for a visitors permit, as part of council budget cuts on April 1.

He said affected residents were only informed via letter a few days prior to the renewal date, and accused the administration of “bending to the will” of the county council, which increased the cost of permits across Hampshire.

“I would like to thank the 443 people who signed this petition,” he said.

“Many of them are angry of the short notice. Many do not have reliable on-road access and have to fight for that access. Residents want permits because they have protected them from commuters, protected their right to park near their homes.”

He continued: “Many residents could not easily afford to see such a hike in charges. We’re not talking about inflationary increases.

“Why is Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council bending to the will of the county council to that extent? This petition will be presented to the county council as well, but in presenting it here we hope something can be done to help these residents.”

The petition was passed to cabinet member for regulatory services, Cllr Hayley Eachus.

In a statement to the Gazette, she said: “The borough council delivers on-street parking services, including resident’s permits, on behalf of Hampshire County Council. For many years the cost of the permits has been subsidised by the borough council. The recent increase to the price of the permits goes some way to covering the actual costs of delivering the scheme to residents.

“I have received the petition regarding the increase to the cost of resident’s parking permits and will be considering it over the coming weeks.”