CONTROVERSIAL changes to parking in Stockton Heath and Lymm have been slightly amended to allow motorists to park for free for 15 minutes following a public backlash.

At the start of last month, shoppers in both areas were told they would no longer be permitted to get free one-hour parking as part of changes to be brought in by the council at the start of December.

However, following criticism, the authority has decided to introduce a 15-minute free parking period at all of the sites, during which a pay and display ticket must still be obtained.

The ban on returning to the car parks within two hours will also be removed at each one.

The sites to be hit by the changes in Lymm will be Davies Way car park, Pepper Street car park and Henry Street car park, while The Forge in Stockton Heath will also be affected – each currently allows shoppers to enjoy up to one hour of parking for free.

Introduction of the free 15-minute period will primarily be in place to give motorists enough time to drop off and pick up children from school.

On September 7, Graham Gowland, who is a Liberal Democrat Lymm parish councillor, started a petition calling on the authority to keep the one-hour free parking in place – it has since racked up more than 2,580 signatures.

The closing date of the petition is October 31, after which it will come before the full council at the Town Hall.

A date for the debate has not been set but it is likely to be the December 5 meeting, which could be just after the changes have come into effect.

Cllr Ian Marks (LD – Lymm North and Thelwall) believes the move is 'another attack' on the south of the town and fears it could lead to congestion woes.

He said: "Although the council is not legally obliged to consult, we could have told them that no free parking for the first hour would cause problems if they had cared to consult with councillors, businesses, schools and nurseries in the first place."

He also highlighted serious concerns with the free 15-minute parking policy.

"It will do little to help people wanting to pick up a prescription or do a small amount of shopping because they cannot be certain that they won't be stuck in a queue," he added.

"The new charges are planned to raise an extra £212,000, which nearly trebles the money currently taken.

"The council justifies this because it is claimed there are free car parks near the council-owned ones in other parts of the borough.

"We do not accept this argument because there are free car parks nearby in Lymm and Stockton Heath – they are called the street.

"Traders in Lymm fear that the new charges will deter shoppers and be bad for business. Is this what the council intends? Surely not.

"We ask the council to put these charges on hold until proper soundings have been taken with people.

"I take a small amount of comfort that they have listened and made a slight change to their proposal but they need to do some more listening."

The new prices at the car parks will be £1 for up to three hours and £2 for more than three, while parking will be free after 3pm, until 9am the following day.

But Pepper Street car park is to charge £1 for up to two hours, £2 for two to four hours, £10 for more than four hours and will also provide free parking after 3pm.

The council believes the changes will improve the 'operation' of the car parks, encourage shoppers to stay for longer and deliver savings.

Any income generated during the charging period of 9am to 3pm will be reinvested by the council in transport projects.