Leader’s free car parking pledge amid meter threat
FREE short term parking will remain in Hinckley - even if Leicestershire County Council decides to introduce charges for onstreet stays.
Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council leader Mike Hall has pledged to ease restrictions in town centre car parks and offer 30 minutes free should meters be installed.
The county council, which manages all onstreet parking in the borough, is looking at establishing parking meters for short stay spots.
It means motorists using the bays on Rugby Road, and other on-street parking areas elsewhere, would be charged.
The unpopular proposal, which would have to go out to public consultation, has already been criticised by Cllr Hall and the Hinckley and District Chamber of Trade.
Now, in response to concerns about the loss of free short stays, Cllr Hall is promising to recreate provision, should it be required.
He said: “As leader of Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council I am opposed to any suggestion of parking meters on Hinckley streets.
“I have written to Peter Osborn the cabinet member at County Hall to advise him of this and I will also make a promise that county councillors cannot.
“If Leicestershire County Council sees fit to introduce on-street parking charges in Hinckley then I will introduce 30 minute free parking in some of the councils town centre car parks.”
The charging proposals were discussed at a recent county council transport scrutiny committee meeting, after first being aired last year.
The county sees meters as a way of raising funds to help boost its road maintenance budget which goes towards repairing potholes.
Their introduction, however, would be some way off as the matter has to go through various committees and be the subject of a public consultation before anything is implemented.
Cllr Hall has already said some free short stay parking is essential for shoppers who only need to stop in town for a few minutes.
The council is examining the whole issue of parking in Hinckley, in part due to increasing concerns about residents being unable to get a spot outside or even close to their homes.
A survey has been undertaken, the results of which are due to be published soon. It is expected to say the town required more car parking spaces, not less.