CAR parking prices are set to go up at two of Bracknell Forest’s most popular venues.
Budget proposals laid out by the council show prices at Coral Reef and The Look Out could increase by 30 per cent for a stay of up to five hours.
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Users of the activity centres will still be able to avoid paying a parking charge if they get their tickets validated by site staff, however, as the council looks to introduce new parking technology.
Coral Reef prices are set to rise from £3.10 to £4.00 to park for up to five hours, while an all-day charge could mean visitors pay £6 instead of the current rate of £5.10.
The Look Out Discovery Centre car park currently charges visitors £2 for a stay of up to four hours, but this could rise to £2.60.
An all-day trip to The Look Out car park would cost £4.90 instead of £4.10 should Bracknell Forest Council (BFC) bosses agree to the proposals.
Season ticket prices for the sites could rise from £65 to £71.50.
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Budget documents suggest these price increases, which are said to be the first at these venues since 2012, will bring in £25,000 for the council over the next year.
A report read: “Fees will remain significantly lower than equivalent facilities, and price increases only reflect inflationary rises that would have been applied if done on an annual basis since 2012.”
Both sites will get new parking technology coming at a cost of £48,000 to the council’s capital budget.
Installation of automatic number plate recognition systems will mean users of the activity centres will no longer have to deal with cash payment and refunds to avoid paying for parking.
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As long as visitors of the sites get their tickets validated by Coral Reef or The Look Out staff, they will not have to pay.
Drivers using the car parks but not visiting either of the activity centres will have to pay at one of the new machines, which are being reduced in number to two per site because of the technology upgrade.
Residents can comment on these proposals and the council’s other budget plans here.
BFC bosses will vote on their final spending and saving plans for the 2020/2021 year in February.
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