Hillingdon Council has approved major increases to parking charges, with residents facing rises of approximately 70% from April 2027. The changes include higher parking tariffs, reduced resident discounts and increased permit costs, prompting criticism from the local Labour MP.
West London Residents Face 70% Parking Charge Increase as Hillingdon Council Approves New Fees
Residents in the West London borough of Hillingdon are facing parking charge increases of approximately 70% after the council approved a major overhaul of its fees and charges.
The Conservative-led council approved the changes at a Cabinet meeting on Thursday 22 October 2026, arguing that existing charges were no longer financially sustainable.
The new parking arrangements are scheduled to take effect on 1 April 2027, with residents facing higher pay-and-display costs and reduced discounts through the Hillingdon First scheme.
The decision has prompted criticism from Uxbridge and South Ruislip Labour MP Danny Beales, who has warned about the financial impact on households and local businesses.
How much will parking cost?
Under the approved changes, on-street pay-and-display tariffs will rise across all time bands.
|
Parking duration |
Current charge |
New charge |
|---|---|---|
|
Up to 1 hour |
£1.50 |
£2.60 |
|
Up to 1.5 hours |
£2.40 |
£4.10 |
|
Up to 2 hours |
£3.30 |
£5.70 |
|
Each additional 20 minutes |
£0.80 |
£1.40 |
These are the published on-street tariffs before any applicable resident discount.
For Hillingdon First cardholders, the council is also reducing the resident parking discount from approximately 40% to 10%.
The combined effect of the changes is expected to leave residents paying around 70% more for parking, according to the report.
Resident parking permits also increasing
Residents who hold annual parking permits will also face higher charges.
The cost of a first vehicle permit will increase from £92.40 to £106.30 per year, representing a rise of approximately 15%.
The council says the increases are necessary to bring its charges closer to those imposed by other London boroughs.
Local MP warns of impact on high streets
Labour MP Danny Beales has criticised the decision and called on the council to reconsider.
He expressed concern about the additional financial pressure on residents and the potential consequences for local shopping areas.
In a social media statement, he said:
"The council must consider the additional financial burden on residents and the higher parking charges could have on our local high streets and businesses."
Higher parking costs could affect people making short visits to shops, restaurants and other businesses, particularly those who rely on driving.
Council leader defends decision
Councillor Steve Tuckwell, Leader of Hillingdon Council, defended the changes in a statement issued on Sunday 25 October.
He argued that residents had benefited from comparatively low parking charges for many years.
He said:
"Hillingdon residents have benefited from some of the lowest parking charges in London for many years and will continue to do so."
Councillor Tuckwell said independent comparisons had found many of the council's discretionary charges were among the lowest quarter of those charged by other authorities.
He added that it would not be financially responsible to leave fees unchanged indefinitely.
Despite the increases, he said residents would continue to pay less than visitors.
The council also intends to retain one free 30-minute parking session per day for residents.
Other council charges are changing
Parking is not the only service affected by the council's review.
A number of other fees will change over the coming months.
-
Garden waste collections: Annual charge to fall by £8.
-
Bulky waste collections: £53 charge retained for up to three items, while collection of four to six items will cost £70.
-
Over-65s bulky waste concession: To be removed, with standard charges applying.
-
Leisure centres: Fees to increase by 4% from 1 December 2026.
-
Parks and sports facilities: Higher charges planned for facilities including tennis courts and football pitches.
The changes form part of a wider review of the council's income from services.
Council says existing fees are unsustainable
Councillor Eddie Lavery, Cabinet Member for Finance, told the Cabinet meeting that Hillingdon had historically maintained comparatively low council tax and service charges.
He said:
"Whilst we wish to remain a lower charging authority, the current levels are not sustainable."
Councillor Lavery explained that the general approach was to increase charges by around 15% to help address an income shortfall.
The council maintains that its revised charges will remain competitive compared with other London boroughs.
Changes take effect next year
The new parking charges are due to be introduced on 1 April 2027.
Residents using the Hillingdon First scheme will continue to receive discounted parking, although the reduction will be considerably smaller than at present.
With concerns raised about household budgets and the future of local high streets, the decision is likely to remain a significant issue for residents and businesses across Hillingdon, Uxbridge and surrounding communities.
Source: MyLondon / Local Democracy Reporting Service, Philip James Lynch, 26 October 2026.
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