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Larger vehicles could face higher parking permit fees in Ipswich

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Attwells Solicitors

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Ipswich Borough Council's Executive is set to discuss a new variable charging structure for residential parking zones that would see owners of medium and large vehicles paying more.

Why it matters: The proposed changes aim to address growing concerns about limited on-street parking availability as vehicle numbers continue to rise, particularly focusing on the space taken up by larger vehicles.

The details: The Executive will meet next Tuesday (11 March) to review permit fees for the Residents Parking Scheme, which the Council has administered on behalf of Suffolk County Council since 1983.

Under the proposed variable charging structure for zones 1-5:

  • Medium and large vehicles would face premium charges reflecting the additional space they occupy

  • Vehicles over 6m in length would become ineligible for permits

  • Zone 2 would continue to prohibit second permits due to significantly limited parking space

  • Blue Badge holders would remain exempt from charges

What they're saying: Councillor Jane Riley, Ipswich Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Culture and Customers, said: "Due to the limited space within our residential parking zones and the increasing size of vehicles on the roads, the Council is proposing the introduction of a variable charging system for medium and large vehicles. The scheme aims to ensure fairer use of available parking spaces so that those who require more space are charged accordingly as well as encouraging more sustainable vehicle choices."

For context: The Council has made some exemptions for residents with trade vehicles. Those who own tradesperson vehicles above 6m in length will still be permitted to purchase permits in the large vehicle category. Similarly, residents applying for permits for tradespeople using vehicles over 6m will also be allowed to buy permits in the large vehicle category.

The bottom line: The council says that the proposal represents an effort to manage limited parking resources more effectively while encouraging residents to consider vehicle size when making purchase decisions. Still, motorists are unlikely to be enamoured with another council-led increase to the cost of car ownership.

Attwells staff outside their Ipswich office

An award-winning local law firm

Rated as "Excellent" on Review Solicitors with an impressive 4.8/5 on Feefo.

Attwells staff outside their Ipswich office

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Farage more trusted than Starmer in East of England, latest poll finds

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Attwells Solicitors

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Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is more trusted to represent the UK internationally than PM Keir Starmer among East of England voters, new polling reveals.

Why it matters: The findings highlight a significant decline in trust for the main party leaders in the region less than a year after the general election.

The poll, conducted by communications agency PLMR and Electoral Calculus, shows Farage ranked highest among named leaders at 19% in the East of England, ahead of Sir Keir Starmer (13%), Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch (6%) and Liberal Democrat Leader Sir Ed Davey (5%).

Nigel Farage
Nigel FarageAlamy

The bigger picture: One in three voters (33%) in the region responded "none of the above" when asked which political figure they would trust most, suggesting a broader decline in overall trust in UK political leaders.

By the numbers: The same poll indicates Reform UK would become the largest party in the region if an election were held tomorrow:

  • Reform: 21 seats

  • Conservatives: 10 seats

  • Labour: 4 seats

  • Liberal Democrats: 2 seats

  • Greens: 1 seat

In contrast: Nationally, Farage and Starmer are tied at 16% among those who named a preference, highlighting a more polarised national picture, with the Reform UK leader building more trust with voters in the East of England specifically.

What they're saying: "This polling highlights a significant decline in trust for the two main party leaders among East of England voters when it comes to representing the UK on the international stage," said Tim Miller , Managing Director of PLMR Genesis , the East of England branch of PLMR.

Reform and Nigel Farage have seemingly been able to capitalise on this and it's now translating into voting intentions, with the Party set to overtake Labour and the Conservatives in the region with the largest number of seats – a seismic political shift.

Between the lines: The poll suggests Reform would make strong gains across the region, potentially taking seats from both major parties:

  • Suffolk: Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket from Labour

  • Essex: Braintree from the Conservatives and Thurrock from Labour

  • Cambridgeshire: North East from the Conservatives and North West from Labour

  • Norfolk: North West from the Conservatives and South West from Labour

Tim Miller on a backdrop of Ipswich from above and political party colour overlays
Tim Miller of PLMR GenesisOliver Rouane-WilliamsIpswich.co.uk

The national outlook: The survey of 5,180 adults showed Reform securing 25% of the vote share nationally, compared to 23% each for Labour and the Conservatives. This would translate to 227 seats for Reform, 180 for Labour and 130 for the Conservatives.

The bottom line: "If Labour wants to keep Reform at bay, hold onto the gains they made in the East of England and remain in government in four year's time, the Party needs to focus on getting their message across more clearly to voters and instil confidence in their domestic agenda," Miller concluded.

Attwells staff outside their Ipswich office

An award-winning local law firm

Rated as "Excellent" on Review Solicitors with an impressive 4.8/5 on Feefo.

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