Blackheath station car park charges set to soar in Network Rail takeover (From News Shopper)

Blackheath station car park charges set to soar in Network Rail takeover

9:57am Saturday 11th February 2012 in News By Nina Massey

PARKING charges are set to soar when Network Rail takes over the management of Blackheath station car park from Lewisham Council.

Some fares will increase by 43 per cent with hourly parking costs rising from £1.40 to £2.

Meanwhile those needing annual season tickets will have to shell out a whopping 50 per cent more and pay £900 instead of £600.

Network Rail will also introduce charges for parking on Sundays and will close the car park during the Olympic Games.

Paul James, 58, who lives in East Woodside, Bexley, works as an estate agent in Tranquil Vale, Blackheath, and is a regular user of the car park.

He told News Shopper: "I have worked in Blackheath for almost 14 years and I wish to continue working here for another 10 at least.

"But with costs building up the way they are, it doesn't paint a pretty picture for many businesses, or the people who work for them."

Lewisham East MP Heidi Alexander has written to the chief executive of Network Rail David Higgins asking him to reconsider the proposed charges.

She said: "The economic vitality of Blackheath Village is dependent upon the availability of affordable parking.

"At the moment, there is a thriving farmers market which takes place at one end of the car-park.

"I am concerned the introduction of parking fees on a Sunday will result in a loss of trade, with knock-on impacts on businesses in the village."

The railway company will take over the running of the car park in Hurren Close on February 28.

A Network Rail spokesman said: "This scheme will include a number of improvements, including installing better signage, new ticket machines and CCTV, and reformatting the parking spaces.

"The proposed pricing structure at Blackheath is in line with the other station car parks we manage and includes some increases and some decreases to the current charges, as well as some new tariff options."

An online petition has been set up against the charges.

Go to gopetition.co.uk/petitions/blackheath-station-car-park-charges.html to sign it.

New Parking Tariffs

Weekday tariff:

Up to 30 mins £1 Increase of 30p

Up to 1 hr £2 Increase of 60p

Up to 2 hrs £3 Increase of 20p

Up to 3 hrs £4 Decrease of 20p

Up to 4 hrs £6 Increase of 40p

Up to 8 hrs £8 New tariff

Up to 24 hrs £15 Same as existing tariff

Weekend tariff:

Up to 30 mins £1 Increase of 30p

Up to 1 hr £2 Increase of 60p

Up to 2 hrs £3 Increase of 20p

Up to 3 hrs £4 Decrease of 20p

Up to 4 hrs £6 Increase of 40p

Up to 24hrs £8 Decrease of £7