NCP sues for £600k+ after council decides to take back running of car parks

Car parking giant NCP is suing Worthing Borough Council for more than £600,000 after the authority announced plans to take back the running of the car parks it owns from next year.

The council revealed in April this year that it would be ending a decade-long agreement with NCP.

It claimed that parking prices had “more than doubled” since NCP took on the contract in 2003. However, annual parking revenue for the council only increased from £880,000 to £1m in that time.

Worthing said it wanted to cut parking prices and attract visitors away from other West Sussex towns.

The council has now revealed that NCP is suing for alleged breach of contract.

Worthing said it “vigorously” refuted any breach of contract.

The council’s Leader, Cllr Paul Yallop, said: “I am extremely disappointed our relationship with NCP is ending acrimoniously and we are making every effort to protect taxpayer money and is seeking to resolve the matter with NCP.”

Worthing said it would be seeking advice and assistance from the Local Government Association and local MPs on the case.

A spokeswoman for NCP said: "We do not believe it is appropriate or usual for legal disputes to be litigated through the press. This matter is currently subject to legal proceedings and NCP is not therefore able to make a public response through the media. We have every confidence in leaving this matter with the courts to resolve."