Arrive after three and park for free

16th September 2010

Cabinet Members at St.Helens Council have approved free car parking after 3pm in town centre car parks.

They agreed to proposals to introduce the free after 3pm parking at Chalon Way, St. Mary’s and Birchley Street - the main three town centre car parks. The Arrive After Three - Park Free project will run from October 1 for a 12-month pilot.

Also approved was a recommendation to reduce the number of parking wardens from 11 to seven. In recent years there has been a shift from car parking enforcement from the police to local councils and St.Helens took the role over last year. Independent advice predicted a far larger scale of offences than actually happened hence the agreement to look at the contract again and reduce the number of wardens.

The move is a bid to boost town centre footfall and support the retail, social and leisure activity of the town centre and strengthen the overall trading position.

Councillor Barrie Grunewald, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Culture, Communications and Town Centre, said: “Town centre retailers continue to face harsh trading conditions as a result of the economic climate, reduced town centre footfall and a change in the shopping habits of the public in favour of out of town retail centres and internet shopping.”

Early estimates show that by introducing the new free parking scheme it could result in a loss of car park revenue by around £35,000. However the Council hopes that the success in a boost to the retail and leisure sector will more than outweigh the cost.

Kath Boullen, Chief Executive of St Helens Chamber said: “We are delighted to hear about this initiative, which will be welcomed by retailers in particular. We have a fantastic retail and leisure offer in St Helens and this move by St.Helens Council will encourage more local people to take advantage of their town centre.”