Contentious Parking Charge Plans Scrapped In Isle Of Wight Council Budget Vote

Controversial proposals to increase and extend parking charges across the Isle of Wight have been scrapped after councillors approved a revised budget at County Hall yesterday evening (Wednesday, February 25).

An amendment put forward jointly by Alliance, Liberal Democrat and Conservative members was backed by 30 councillors, with eight voting against.

The decision followed a full council adjournment lasting at least an hour to allow group leaders and the Island’s MPs to discuss the authority’s financial plans.

Under the agreed budget, a 4.99 per cent rise in council tax will proceed as originally proposed.

However, updated wording confirms there will be no compulsory redundancies, despite an amended staff reduction programme totalling £541,000 in savings.

Plans put forward by officers to introduce a charge for under 19s using the Floating Bridge have been withdrawn. Newport Roman Villa will also remain open to the public.

There will be no increase in foot passenger fares on the chain ferry, meaning the proposed rise from 50p to £1 will not go ahead.

While the parking charge proposals have been removed, new fees for the council’s DIY rubble disposal scheme have been approved, generating an estimated £100,000.

The scrapped parking measures followed a public petition led by Adam Provis, which attracted more than 4,000 signatures.

The original plans included introducing charges on Union Street in Ryde, Crocker Street in Newport, Sandown High Street and Regent Street in Shanklin, as well as pay-and-display parking at Fort Victoria Country Park.

A 25p per hour increase to on-and-off-street parking fees had also been proposed.

During last night’s meeting, leaders of the Very Broad Church and Empowering Islanders groups — Geoff Brodie and Chris Jarman respectively — left the cross-party discussions before they concluded.

Council officers had previously described the 2026/27 budget as the “most challenging ever” faced by the authority in the past decade.

A report published ahead of the meeting warned of a structural deficit of almost £20 million at County Hall, which it said could rise to £65 million by 2029/30 if no action is taken.

More to follow.