Forces from across the Isle of Wight’s political landscape united to reject plans for new parking charges after a petition opposing them gathered over 2,000 signatures.
Reform, independent and Liberal Democrat county councillors on the economy, regeneration, transport and infrastructure committee (ERTIC) voiced concerns over harm to town centres, businesses and Island attractions on Tuesday 6th October 2026.
Almost all ERTIC members voted against moving forward with proposals to introduce fees to a series of streets and car parks.
Concerns for town centres
Councillor Reuben Loake, Reform UK representative for Ryde North West, pointed to “devastating effects” high street parking charges have had on Sandown, Freshwater and Newport, with closed shops and empty units “blighting the streetscene”.
He added,
“Officers have told me we need to raise revenue and I understand that but over my dead body will this be at the expense of independent shops and businesses who are the lifeblood of our towns, my town”.
Fort Victoria, Gurnard and village impact
All for Islanders councillor for Freshwater South, Becca Cameron, said Fort Victoria’s conservation statement explicitly states that free parking remains an important element of the site’s attraction to visitors. She added,
“Charging for parking while simultaneously trying to regenerate the site risks working against the very attractions and businesses we’re trying to protect.”
Councillor Paul Fuller, Island First Network representative for Cowes West and Gurnard, said Gurnard was similar to Fort Victoria and people visiting the village go there to walk, breathe fresh air, exercise and have a good time.
He added,
“I am dead against this, I’m dead against the increase in charging in town centres as well, our town centres need it like a hole in the head – these businesses, local organisations…are holding on by the skin of their teeth.”
The Liberal Democrat member for Brighstone, Calbourne and Shalfleet, Councillor Nick Stuart, said it is critical that County Hall takes account of input from parish councils and echoed concerns over business impacts.
He said Brighstone has one general store and parking charges in the village would see everybody drive to either Freshwater or Newport.
25p an hour rise still to be considered
ERTIC agreed however that another policy – increasing parking fees on both on and off street by 25p per hour – will be looked at by the policy, finance and resources committee (PFRC) for possible adoption in the council’s budget setting processes.
A proposal to remove free parking for electric vehicles in off-street car parks will also be considered.
‘Everything has to be considered’
Speaking on savings proposals on Tuesday, including new parking charges, the council’s strategic director of community services, Simon Moon mentioned County Hall’s “wider financial challenges”.
He said,
“Given the financial pressures, the council being in receipt of Exceptional Financial Support (EFS) and the budget gap we’ve got to, everything has to be considered.
“Some of these issues will have been raised in the previous budget cycle earlier last year. Unfortunately, these issues will continue to have to keep coming back while we continue to carry such a budget deficit.
“As a consequence of being in receipt of EFS, there’s greater scrutiny on the authority…none of these are easy.”
Areas that had been proposed
New parking tariffs had been mooted for areas including Union Street in Ryde, Sandown High Street, Regent Street in Shanklin, Fort Victoria Car Park in Yarmouth and the new Royal Exchange Car Park in Newport.
Ventnor High Street and St James’ Street, Crocker Street, Union Street, Terrace Road and St John’s Place in Newport were also included.
Other areas listed include Godshill car park, Bouldnor Viewpoint car park in Yarmouth, St Helens Green car park, Gurnard seafront and Hope Road in Shanklin.
In addition, charges were on the table for sites such as the Wheelers Bay and Eastcliff car parks in Ventnor, St Martin’s Road car park in Wroxall, and Warnes Lane car park in Brighstone – all currently offering free parking.
ERTIC voted against pressing ahead with all of these measures.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
