Residents are rallying to keep free parking in Lymm and Stockton Heath, fearing local businesses will suffer if charges are introduced
Lymm: There’s a bit of a stir going on in Lymm and Stockton Heath. The council’s thinking about scrapping free parking, and folks are not happy about it.
People are worried that this change will hurt local shops. You know, the ones that rely on passing trade. If you have to pay 70p just to pop in for a quick errand, it might make you think twice.
For years, the first hour of parking has been free, and after 3 PM, it was free too. But the council says they can’t keep it up anymore because of rising costs.
So, if these changes go through, Lymm will lose that first free hour, and in Stockton Heath, the free parking after 3 PM will be gone. They’re even planning to add new evening rates.
People are already signing a petition started by local councillor Sally Sharma. She’s got nearly 2,500 signatures so far, which shows just how much this matters to the community.
Cllr Sharma pointed out that Lymm is a vibrant place with shops that provide everyday essentials. She believes that charging for parking will hurt these businesses and the local economy.
She’s asking the council to talk to local leaders before making any final decisions. Back in 2016, a similar situation happened, and the community came together to change the council’s mind.
If you want to check out the petition, you can find it at www.change.org/StopKillingLocalShops. It’s a big deal for the locals!
