Free one-hour parking will return to Lymm sites – but not in Stockton Heath

Following a review, the council is bringing back free one-hour parking at Davies Way, Pepper Street and Henry Street car parks.

But the scheme in place at The Forge in Stockton Heath will remain unchanged.

Last year, the council controversially removed free one-hour parking at each of the four sites following consultation with businesses and partners.

Transport chiefs said companies told them they 'wanted people to stay longer' and the free hour was 'damaging their footfall' as people were only visiting one shop before leaving.

The changes, which were amended to allow for free 15-minute stays, were introduced in December.

It came one week after a petition calling on the authority to withdraw the changes came before the full council at the Town Hall after racking up more than 3,000 signatures.

The authority pledged to review any changes and – after speaking again to businesses, motorists and councillors – it has agreed to alter the Lymm charges to revert back to the first hour being free.

However, the charging period has been extended from 3pm to 10pm, from Monday to Saturday.

Cllr Hans Mundry, executive board member for transport, said: "We are under considerable financial pressure due to drastic cuts from central Government so we have to find ways to save money and increase revenue.

"Businesses had told us that they welcomed the plan to encourage people to shop for longer and said that the free hour was unhelpful.

"We had promised to review the charges and that's exactly what we have done.

"After carefully considering the options and outcomes we have decided that the best course is to make alterations to our initial plans for Lymm."

Lymm parish councillor Anna Fradgley, who also owns a business in the village, presented the petition to the full council in December and had urged transport bosses to have a rethink.

She said she 'welcomed' the council's decision.

She added: “The charges introduced last December led to more cars parking on residential roads around Lymm to avoid the fee, in turn creating traffic congestion and inconvenience to residents.

“Village centre traders have also seen a dramatic fall in sales as a result.

“I know that charging will now take place during the evening until 10pm but it is reasonable to also pay for parking then.

“This is not going to suit everybody but this is much fairer for all.

“The council have also agreed to undertake a wider parking and traffic management review in and around Lymm, which will look at road maintenance, speed restrictions and parking.

“I would like to personally thank everyone involved in this campaign who has helped raise awareness of the issues and also to Cllr Mundry and the council officials who have been sensitive to the needs of Lymm.

“I now urge residents to return back and support the traders, in order to increase the vitality of the village centre.”

The Lymm charges will come into effect in approximately six weeks.

The charging period at Pepper Street will run from 9am to 10pm, Monday to Saturday.

It will be free for up to one hour, £1 for one to two hours, £2 for two to four hours and £10 for more than four hours.

There is no return within two hours, apart from for those paying the £10 fee – they can return anytime.

At Davies Way and Henry Street the charging period will be from 9am to 10pm, Monday to Saturday.

It will be free for up to one hour, £1 for one to two hours, £2 for two to three hours and £3 for more than three hours.

There is no return within town hours for each, apart from those paying the £3 fee – they can return anytime.

A flat charge of £1 for evening parking on all of the car parks will also be applied for arrivals from 5pm onwards, until 9am the next day.

At The Forge motorists can park for free for up to 15 minutes, £1 for up to three hours and £2 for more than three hours.

It is free before 9am and after 3pm.