Free parking for December offer to make timely return

DERBYSHIRE Dales District Council is bringing back its December free parking offer for the 13th successive year.

The authority is pinning its hopes on the current Covid restrictions easing and announcing the offer, which is run each year to help boost trade for retailers.

It means it will be free to park in any district council pay and display car park after 2pm for the whole month.

The free parking initiative was introduced by the authority in 2008 to help residents and businesses through the economic recession.

District council leader Garry

Purdy said: “It has never been more important to encourage local people to support our business community during the continuing Covid pandemic.

“Christmas is always a vital time of year for Derbyshire Dales traders and we really do hope the current government restrictions will have been eased as we get into December to enable us all to shop local throughout the month.

“I have made it clear on many occasions that we would like nothing more than to make parking free all the time, but local government finances are now tighter than ever.

“The impact of Covid has already reduced budgeted car parking income, which plays an important part in helping us to maintain some

of the excellent car parking, environmental and recreational services we provide for local people and visitors.”

Car park charges were suspended by the district council in the early months of the first lockdown, to help residents with essential shopping trips, and the free parking from 2pm throughout December comes on top of residents’ parking concessions that allow people to park free every day of the year up to 11am and after 4pm.

The free parking extends to midnight each day and motorists are reminded not to leave anything valuable in their vehicles as the lead-up to Christmas can also be a choice time for thieves.