Free parking is 'bad publicity stunt', says Dudley opposition councillor
A Labour councillor has branded Dudley Council's free parking initiative a 'badly thought out publicity stunt' - after the time was reduced from two hours to one.
The local authority, under Conservative leadership, brought in two hours free parking in Dudley, Sedgley, Brierley Hill and Halesowen earlier this year.
But at the start of the month they reduced the time to one hour and charged £1.40 for the second hour.
But Halesowen North councillor Hilary Bills says this move has been greeted as a 'rip off' in Halesowen.
She explained: “I was surprised to see the charging changes. I want to know if the cabinet member knew the results of the parking trial before making these changes. And what a slap in the face to those loyal shoppers who were returning to Halesowen to shop for two hours. Now it’s spend less time in the town centre and it’s free, spend more time and pay £1.40.
“What we need is a table of charges that makes sense and not some badly thought out publicity stunt."
It comes as one shopper was angry to receive a parking fine for overstaying in the town centre.
Helen Betts-Patel, from Greenhill Road, said: "I felt pretty ripped off! The parking went from two hours to one and all that changed on the large notices on the railings going into town was the number. Any money I saved during the two hour free parking has been swallowed up by a fine. Surely, I should get the first hour free and only pay for the second anyway?"
The trial to charge one hour’s free parking offered on all borough council-owned car parks, will also include those in Stourbridge and Kingswinford.
Council bosses intend to make free parking a permanent offer in the borough from next April, as part of the budget setting process.
Councillor Karen Shakespeare, cabinet member for environmental services, said: “We’re committed to providing free parking across the borough long term to help our local town centres thrive, but want to ensure we do this in the best way.
“So we’re changing the trial to one hour’s free parking on all council pay and display car parks across the borough.
“We continue to listen to local businesses, shoppers and visitors who we hope will welcome this latest move as a boost to their town centres.”
People wanting to take advantage of the one-hour free parking must print and display a free parking ticket from the machines already in place.
The final decision on funding for free parking will be taken by full council as part of the budget making process.
