Hundreds petition to block parking fees
HUNDREDS of people have signed a petition opposing parking charges due to come into force in Widnes soon.
Shoppers, Halton Council and the town’s MP Derek Twigg reacted with horror recently when payment machines and ANPR cameras were installed at Green Oaks Shopping Centre last month.
The complex, which is home to more than 20 stores, has traditionally had free parking but was taken over by Austringer Capital Ltd last year.
Managing agent to the centre, Savills, recently confirmed a tariff of £1 per day would be introduced between the hours of 12am to 11.59pm, but this would not include the parking adjacent to the Morrisons store.
The move prompted a fierce backlash.
The council said it had been ‘left in the dark’, while Mr Twigg branded it ‘totally short-sighted’.
Now an online petition has now been started by Karl Davies which already has more than 700 signatures.
One signatory said: “Halton is a struggling area, so we get charged more. Families are choosing to heat rather than eat and now they are getting charged to be able to shop with what they do have available to buy food. It’s ridiculous.”
Another said: “Lots of people shop in Widnes simply because of the free parking.
“This will disadvantage traders as people won’t come.”
Following representations by Halton Council, the owners made some concessions, including agreeing not to enforce any penalties for non-payment of charges until after May 10 to allow people to get used to the new system.
In a statement, Savills said: “Following the Covid-19 pandemic, in order to generate further investment to guarantee the best possible experience for its customers, the centre will introduce a charge in order to maintain the parking facilities.
“Savills appreciates that the car park has always been free to customers of Green Oaks, and therefore has ensured the charge is nominal so the car park remains accessible to all.”