INFLUENTIAL Labour figures are to monitor the effect of Tory-controlled Cheshire West and Chester Council’s decision that parking in all Ellesmere Port’s town centre car parks should be free after 3pm.
The move would see the end of the free four hours parking at any time scheme brought in by the former borough council on the main Asda car park at a cost approaching £600,000 a year.
The proposal is subject to public consultation but senior Labour group members are poised to pounce if it emerges the move is affecting the town centre.
The new council’s procedures do not allow councillors to challenge the decision at this stage but Labour sources say the party will act if issues arise.
Its opposition to the change is well documented.
Labour group leader Cllr Derek Bateman (Lab, Central and Westminster) told a meeting of the Cheshire West and Chester Executive that the introduction of four hours free parking had led to a “significant increase in trade” in the market alone.
The market, which closes at 3pm, would not benefit from free parking after traders had shut up shop.
It would not boost the town centre shops, he believed and commented:“It will have no effect whatsoever so why introduce it?”
Cllr Tony Sherlock (Lab, Grange and Rossmore) believes free after three will have ‘a damaging effect’ and will add to rush hour congestion on busy town centre roads, many of which already have pollution problems.
The Tories say free after three is aimed at backing local businesses.
“Obviously they would prefer to see no parking fees at all in these difficult times but from a business point of view they fully understood the financial situation that this authority had inherited,” said portfolio holder Cllr Lynn Cllr Riley (Con, Weaver).
Cllr Riley argues there is a nationwide trend towards free after three and points to the 7,000 signature petition raised in the town for it to be introduced.
