The free parking in Lymm and Stockton Heath is coming to an end, sparking concerns among locals and business owners about its impact
The council says this change is part of their effort to tackle a big budget shortfall of over £20 million. But not everyone is on board with this decision. Local councillor Graham Gowland is pretty upset, claiming they weren’t even informed about the plans. He’s urging the council to rethink this move.
Gowland pointed out that a few years back, the council introduced parking charges while keeping some car parks free. This was supposed to help local businesses, especially since many transactions are under £5. He argues that people won’t pay for parking just to grab a quick sandwich or a paper; they’ll just head to the supermarket instead.
It seems local councillors were completely in the dark about the removal of free parking. Gowland stressed that this is a big issue for specific areas, and the council should have consulted with them first. While a consultation is on the table, he believes it should have come after a proper discussion with elected officials. The council hasn’t shared any details about the consultation yet, but Gowland is determined to rally the community to send a strong message that this change isn’t in their best interest.
