Lib Dems offer a way forward on parking

9.47.22pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 27th Jun 2006

Liberal Democrats have set out some ideas to solve the recently identified problems with the Borough Council's car parking charges.

Tony Woods, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Northampton Borough Council, said "We agreed the budget in February and we have not reneged on that position. All three parties agreed to budget for a £500,000 increase in income from car parking.

"Since then it has become clear that fewer people are parking in our car parks and that, if the current take up continues, the Council will not raise anything like the money expected.

"It is also clear that people, particularly low paid workers in the town centre, are being hit hard by the charges.

"We want to try some innovative ideas to both boost the economy of the town centre, to help hard pressed workers and to secure the Council's income. We want the Council to explore ideas such as:-

· An arrangement with town centre businesses to provide lower cost parking for low paid workers while freeing up the best parking spaces for shoppers;

· Opening low cost car parks away from the town centre but close to bus routes;

· Improving the discount structure on season tickets to bring people back into our car parks rather than park in residential streets.

"At Monday's Council Meeting all Councillors agreed the Council's number one priority would be "To listen to local people and provide the services they need" - it is time for all parties to do just that.