THE council has been accused of performing “a massive U-turn” over proposals to increase car parking charges in the town centre.

The accusation comes just days before the Conservative administration is due to consider launching a consultation on increasing town centre parking charges for 2018/19.

The proposals are to increase the price of short-stay parking at the main multi-story car parks by £1, and 10p per hour at other car parks.

But this, according to opposition councillors, is in direct contradiction to the council’s previous strategy.

In 2011, Swindon Borough Council was publicly praised for slashing town centre parking charges to help increase footfall.

Speaking at the time, the then deputy council leader Garry Perkins said: “Lower car parking has given more footfall, more spending in the shops, more jobs in the retail trade in the town centre, and Swindon is bucking the national trend on footfall.”

But now opposition councillors are worried that increasing parking charges will result in fewer people visiting the town centre.

Coun Jane Milner-Barry, the Labour Group shadow lead for the town centre, said: “After years of saying that lower car parking charges in the town centre has meant more people coming in to the town centre, one wonders if this proposal will turn people away.

“I think what this new Town Centre Car Parking strategy shows is that the cabinet have to recognise their past strategies to improve the town centre have failed.

“We welcome the fact that they are at least trying to change policy direction and make some improvements, however there is a lot more that needs to be done.”

On Wednesday, the cabinet will meet to discuss the proposals.

The objectives of the draft Town Centre Car Parking Strategy include, according to a report, supporting “the town centre economy within Swindon by ensuring that the town centre car parking offer is sufficiently attractive and well managed so as to encourage people to visit the town centre”.

Responding to Labour’s claims of a U-turn, Coun Oliver Donachie, cabinet member for the economy and skills, said: “The cabinet report shows how the Conservative administration is continuing to support Swindon and the town centre.

“It was right seven years ago to cut parking charges and then freeze them until now and even with the small increases our parking charges are still lower than many neighbouring towns.

“It is disappointing that the Labour Group is opposed to providing money for additional security to make it better for shoppers and workers as well as providing £70,000 to help find proper alternatives for the homeless who are currently using the car parks.

“Unfortunately, the opposition group is completely devoid of any positive ideas and can only snipe or play party politics.”