Council urged to set up free parking zones
COUNCILS are being encouraged to set up free parking zones in town centres to try to help businesses compete as online shopping and out-of-town centres dominate the market.
Marcus Jones, the Minister for high streets, said councils need to do more in order to stop shops from closing down, rather than punishing business owners and shoppers with ‘over-zealous’ parking charges.
The Minister’s comments come as it was revealed that councils could make an astounding £687million from charges this year, regardless of warnings from the Government that excessive fines/ charges should not be used as a means of raising funds.
Sefton Council has set itself a target of raising an extra £547,000 in revenue from motorists parking in the borough over 2015/16 and 2016/17, which it blames on central government cuts.
Mr Jones said: “Those areas [without parking meters] seem to be doing better and I think it’s really important that councils understand that and develop their policies to make sure that they are attracting people to come and shop and frequent the high street.”
Terry Cockwill, manager of Wesley Fish on Tulketh Street said that rising parking charges in the town have affected his trade. He believes free parking zones would be good news for town centre traders.
He said: “Everyone you speak to says it all comes down to parking. It’s a big problem that the town is faced with.”
The cost of parking in Southport and across Sefton went up over a month ago. The controversial move saw Sefton Council axe half hour parking in Southport, meaning the minimum charge for parking in the town has more than doubled, from 70p to £1.50.
A spokesperson for S Sefton Council said: “The decision is a result of continued budget cuts by central government which has led to a £547,000 savings target fo for the parking service ov over the financial years 2015/16 and 2016/17.
“We have had to make a number of difficult decisions and review both our parking services and charges. These proposals will generate a net income and if not progressed would result in shortfall in the savings target.”