‘Parking a money -making scheme and a gimmick...’

Call to make parking free every weekend in a bid to increase trade as ‘things are not back to normal’

CALLS have again been made for parking to be free for drivers in Leek and Cheadle to help boost trade.

This comes after Cheadle enjoyed a free parking day last Saturday – with Leek to enjoy the same this weekend.

Councillor Gary Bentley, who is the chairman of the district council’s car parking working group, which is presently reviewing parking in the Moorlands, said the day proved a great success for traders.

Mr Bentley, who is also Cheadle’s deputy mayor, said: “We enjoyed a free parking day on Saturday.

“We should now encourage Staffordshire Moorlands District Council to deliver free parking every Friday and Saturday until June when the details of the parking review are known.

“The day was a great success and traders were very happy with many saying how beneficial it was to them.”

At last week’s meeting of Leek Town Council, town mayor Councillor Stephen Wales said he was waiting for a response from the ruling cabinet at Staffordshire Moorlands District Council over the issue.

He said: “We have written to the ruling cabinet at the

Moorlands Council asking for some free parking. However, at this time no response has been received.

“There is a need for some free parking, it would help traders. The Moorlands council is not doing what the three Moorlands town mayors want.

“Things are not back to normal. People have to wait their turn before they can go into shops, which takes more time to shop. “These are unusual circumstances. The town has reopened and is busy, but it will ease off.”

Councillor Roy Molson said one of the problems was over zealous parking attendants.

He said: “One problems is the parking attendants. They are over vicious and there seems no discretion.

“Parking is a national money making scheme and is a gimmick.”

Councillor Ben Emery said that he agreed with some free parking time.

He said: “It would bring in more people to the town. I went to Shrewsbury and car parking was free.”

Councillor Mike Worthington said that free parking would help the town.

He said: “Some free parking is a great idea and would help to boost the town centre.

“However, we have been told that the Moorlands council can’t afford it, but they could come back with something.”

Councillor Brian Johnson said that he was not in favour of a blanket free parking in Leek.

He said: “In Leek on Wednesday it took me 15 minutes to get from Mill Street to Haywood Street. I drove to four car parks and they were all full.

“If it was free from 8am in the morning there would be no room for shoppers.”

Speaking to the Post & Times, Councillor Edwin Wain, who has the responsibility for planning and parking at the district council, said: “Towns in the Moorlands are allowed so many free parking days annually. The cabinet is looking and considering free parking at this time.

“However the charges for parking in Moorlands towns is far less then many other towns.”