Residents protest an increase in parking fees in the city's centre
Residents in downtown Reykjavik are not happy with the city's decision to raise the parking fees in their neighbourhood without any discussion with the people living in the area. Morgunblaðið/Sigurður Bogi
The Reykjavík City Centre’s residents’ association protests the undemocratic practices taken by the city authorities when the decision to change the parking fees in the city centre was made. This is reflected in a letter sent by the residents’ association to the city centre’s municipal council.
The association calls on Reykjavík’s city council to withdraw the changes, as well as asking city authorities not to make changes to the city’s parking fee arrangements in the city centre, in the future, unless there is an informed discussion and democratic consultation with the local population.
Severe consequences for residents
The letter states that if the changes are implemented, it is clear that they will have severe financial and social consequences for residents and their families. This is especially true for the residents of tariff zone 1, where the most severe changes, or increases, are announced, and that no more than three hours of parking may be allowed.
Neither given an introduction nor the opportunity of input
The association also says the new charging of fees in the evenings and weekends is a concern, as it will make it difficult for visitors and residents regarding visits.
Criticism, however, relates not only to the proposed changes but also to the fact that the population first heard of the proposed changes in the media. The population was thus neither given any introduction about the changes, nor the opportunity to make comments or suggestions for changes.
