'Free after Three' parking on its way

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Motorists will be able to enjoy free car parking after 3pm in the village from next month, as part of a new initiative by Cheshire East Council.

From August 5th, parking on South Street Car Park, along with six other car parks across the Borough, will be free of charge from 3pm each day.

All-day parkers will also see their usual costs reduced as part of the scheme, known as Free after Three.

The Council has introduced the changes in a bid to support businesses and encourage more people to visit their local town or village centre.

Earlier this year, the Council announced that Free after Three would be trialled on the Whalley Hayes car park, in Macclesfield, and this has been in place since July 1st.

Now, six more car parks at: South Street, in Alderley Edge; Spring Street, in Wilmslow; Princess Street in Knutsford; Back Park Street, in Congleton; Christchurch, in Crewe and Snow Hill, in Nantwich will benefit from the scheme.

Councillor David Topping, Cabinet member in charge of the environment, said: "I am pleased to announce this initiative, which is designed to help our businesses during what I realise are difficult trading conditions on the high street.

"We also want residents to have the opportunity to spend time in their local town or village centres without having to pay for parking.

"The Whalley Hayes car park, in Macclesfield, has been very busy since we introduced this and I do hope that businesses will gradually be able to notice a difference."

Free after Three will be reviewed after six months. Revised charges for the seven car parks will be displayed on the tariff boards and/or next to pay-and-display machines.

What do you think about the Free after Three scheme at South Street Car Park? Do you think it will have any impact and encourage more people to visit the village? Use the comment box below to share your views.

Tags:
Cheshire East Council, David Topping, South Street Car Park
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Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

Allan Lunt
Tuesday 30th July 2013 at 3:47 pm
It's difficult enough to find any "official/legal" car-parking space before 3-00pm so I can't really see this initiative (?) making any difference.
Wendy Scott
Tuesday 30th July 2013 at 4:08 pm
Anything to encourage people to shop locally must be a good thing.