Axe looms on free parking in East Lindsey towns and villages
TOWNS and villages in East Lindsey which currently have free parking areas could see that privilege scrapped next year.
The district council is currently reviewing car parking in the district and unveiled a package of measures aimed at swelling its coffers by as much as £520,000 a year.
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PARKING REVIEW: Free car parks in East Lindsey, which includes Louth's cattle market (pictured), could be scrapped by the district council.
Sunday charging could be extended beyond Skegness and Mablethorpe to the whole district.
Not only that but the free parking that has existed for many years in some parts of Louth, Alford, Sutton-on-Sea and other locations have been earmarked for the axe.
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The issue sparked angry scenes after they were discussed at a recent meeting of the full council.
Some members felt the East Lindsey communities which currently enjoy areas of free parking could have a detrimental effect on local businesses.
In Louth, the town's cattle market is a free car park used mainly by people who work in the town.
Councillor Trevor Marris, who gave views to the scrutiny panel on behalf of the town council, said: "Kidgate was a car park mainly used by people who worked in the town.
"As soon as the cattle market was opened up as a free car park, the town centre car parks were freed up for visitors and it worked.
"If they introduce parking at the cattle market, employees will just park in the town again because they will be closer to work.
"Car parking needs to be kept for shoppers and businesses. If the cost is too expensive, it won't encourage people to come and visit Louth."
A spokesman from East Lindsey District Council said: "A scrutiny panel has undertaken a review of the entire car parking service. In making recommendations, councillors were clear how important car parking is to the local economy as well as how important car parking income is to the council in helping to fund services to local people.
"The scrutiny review is complete and was discussed at council on October 10, but no decision has yet been made on the way forward.
"A report will go to the council's November executive board meeting."
Comments
by williampink
Friday, October 19 2012, 8:38PM
“why are councils puting the cost of government cuts onto the motorist. This is short termism, it wont work,it just makes people poorer and the shops you want to help close faster.Try abolishing Parking fees and watch your small business grow.”