STOCKPORT Council has frozen the cost of parking for the next 12 months because of the recession.
Pay and display prices will be unchanged throughout the borough, the council’s executive decided on Monday, in an effort to get shoppers spending.
On-street parking charges will also stay the same.
Annual, six-monthly and quarterly contract parking permits for set areas of Stockport will be frozen for the time being, but these are being reviewed and are expected to rise next April.
In a statement to the executive, transport chief Councillor David White said: "The decision not to increase car parking charges was taken to support local business and the public in the difficult financial climate.
"Therefore there will be no change to the council’s car parking charges within the borough.
"However, I have asked officers to undertake a review of the contract parking permits system and also look for efficiencies within the car parking service."
Councillor Kevin Hogg, executive member for regeneration, said the move will benefit the town centre.
"I welcome this from the executive member for transportation because anything that can help businesses and ultimately customers is to be welcomed," he said.
"Something like this helps people come to Stockport rather than forcing them away."
The council’s income from car parks has dramatically fallen since the downturn started, and is predicted to be £850,000 less than originally anticipated this year.
It is hoped that by freezing the charges more people will start using the car parks and so boost the council’s coffers.
The authority also hopes to raise cash by increasing the cost of contract parking permits next April and not filling existing traffic engineer vacancies.
Councillor White added: "This department still brings in money to the council, it just hasn’t been able to bring in as much money as anticipated."
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glen- (29/10/2009 at 18:08)
Roy Gregory, Exile (30/10/2009 at 15:49)
It is good that the “infrastructure” operators recognise that times are hard and that Inflation is around zero. Maybe if the shop landlords didn’t expect having no change to their income, there would be fewer empty shops.
gill hibbert (01/11/2009 at 17:29)
and to add insult to injury market traders are paying a fortune for their stalls while the car booters get away with £10. What the council needs to do is encourage a better class of traders to compliment the one's who have been faithful to Stockport. We used to have someone selling shoes, catalougue seconds, the crockery man was a favourite as was the clothing stall,the material stall, the guy who used to sell curtain material along with window blinds and nets,
and the list goes on. I really don't think a bus through the market on market days is an answer, these roads need market stalls, Petersgate is always an alternative place to catch the bus. In the town centre we need a Primark the youngsters would adore this store. T.J.Hughes is another, a good music store, and there must be lots of other suggestions, Stockport can be a place to be proud of once again with just a little imagination. Come on Stockport send in your suggestions and let Stockport thrive once again. Gillbob/Offerton
The Man, Sat on a chair (02/11/2009 at 11:53)
Brum Brum.
mz, Stockport (03/11/2009 at 07:23)