Oldham Council lost £220,000 on parking

Oldham Council lost £220,000 on parking in the last financial year, official figures by RAC Foundation have revealed.

This is in stark contrast to the rest of the councils in Greater Manchester which made substantial profits.

The city region experienced the most profit (£7.8 million), followed by Bury (£1.336 million), Stockport (£1.003 million), Trafford (£969,000), Wigan (£829,000), Tameside (£645,000), Salford (£640,000), Bolton (£601,000), and finally, Rochdale with £28,000.

Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said: “We urge motorists to take the time to read their own local authority’s parking report, so they can see both the rationale for charges in their area.”

Councillor Fida Hussain, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, said: “We do not see our car parks as a source of revenue for the council, but as an important part of attracting businesses and visitors into Oldham.

“As part of the budget for 2017/18, Oldham Council decided to keep car parking free for up to three hours on Saturdays and Sundays at council-owned car parks, something we have offered for years.”