A 50 PER cent rise in parking permits has angered a resident who this week described it as impossible to justify . Lorna Kempster, of Victoria Crescent, Royston was annoyed that North Herts District Council has increased the cost of residents parking pe

A 50 PER cent rise in parking permits has angered a resident who this week described it as "impossible to justify".

Lorna Kempster, of Victoria Crescent, Royston was annoyed that North Herts District Council has increased the cost of residents' parking permits from £26-a-year to £39-a-year.

And she said she would not have learned about the increase unless she had seen a public notice in The Crow.

She believed that other residents who have parking permits are probably unaware of the increase, too.

"I am sure there are many in the same boat, who just don't know about the changes."

Mrs Kempster said: "I am unfortunate enough to live on a road which is considered to be a car park for commuters at Royston railway station.

"Prior to parking charges being introduced we never had a problem with unauthorised parking. But the district council decided that it should be a street where only residents could park.

"Anyone who doesn't live in a large house with a driveway, who has to park their cars on the street was forced to pay £26-a-year for the privilege."

Victoria Crescent has parking restrictions between 10am and 11am to prevent all-day communter parking.

Mrs Kempster said the increase in parking permits was "laughable" and "impossible to justify".

She said: "I have no choice but to park my car in the road, where else am I supposed to park, in my living room? I am angered that residents have to pay to stop other people parking here.

"Surely as part of the Council Tax, the council should provide us with a parking permit and penalise non-residents who choose to park in our street."

The parking permits were introduced by the district council more than three years ago.

A district council spokesman said: "At a time when saving money is important, informing every resident individually would cost a lot of money.

"Changes in fees have been released in local newspapers, but obviously some residents haven't seen them.

"However, residents will all be informed of changes in their annual renewal letter that informs them about payments.

"The increase was decided due to the service failing to cover costs. It was one of a number of areas that were looked at and where changes were deemed possible."

In response Mrs Kempster said: "The council is picking on a captive market to cover a shortfall in income, which is completely unjustifiable. Why should we have to pay for the mismanagement of its accounts?

"That parking is an issue is a fabricated idea of the councils in order to generate extra income. It is simply a sneaky way of making money.

"To fail to consult with those who are directly affected is outrageous, this affects a lot of people."

- The new parking permit charges are due to be introduced later this month.