Drivers in several Warwickshire towns will face higher costs for on-street parking from 2026, after councillors approved a contentious set of tariff increases.
New Parking Tariffs Approved for 2026
Warwickshire County Council has formally approved increases to on-street parking charges, which will come into effect in April 2026. The changes apply specifically to kerbside parking bays managed by the county council in the town centres of Leamington, Warwick, Stratford, and Kenilworth.
The most debated rise is for a short 15-minute stay, which will jump by 50% from 30p to 45p. Other tariffs will also see increases:
- A 30-minute stay will rise from 80p to 90p.
- A one-hour stay will increase from £1.60 to £1.80.
- The maximum two-hour stay will go up from £3.20 to £3.60.
Council Debate: Business Impact vs. Revenue Needs
The decision sparked a heated debate among councillors, centring on the potential impact on local high streets. Councillor Jan Matecki opposed the full extent of the 15-minute rise, arguing that a smaller increase to 35p would better support businesses by encouraging quick shopping trips.
He calculated that this proposed 10p reduction would cost the council around £24,000 per year in lost revenue, but contended this was a worthwhile investment to support struggling town centres.
Justifying the approved increases, Councillor Jennifer Warren stated the council needed to generate income and described the move as a "soft touch" approach. She argued that motorists are paying for the convenience of parking in scarce, prime locations.
Broader Town Centre Challenges Highlighted
Council Leader George Finch shifted the focus of the discussion, suggesting that parking fees were not the fundamental problem. He pointed to failing local plans and competition from large out-of-town retail parks as the core issues draining life from town centres.
In a significant announcement, Finch revealed that his administration is "already" in the process of securing "big investors" to help revitalise town centres, specifically naming Nuneaton and Bedworth as priorities for rejuvenation.
The council examined various alternatives before settling on the new tariff structure, deeming it the most equitable option. Notably, lower on-street parking fees in Rugby are expected to remain unchanged, partly due to the availability of more affordable off-street parking options there.
While there was a suggestion to implement steeper hikes for two-hour stays to encourage longer-term parking in district-run car parks, the final decision was to apply balanced increases across all time increments.
