Costs slashed

Photo: ANTHONY MILLER

ARE YOU LEGAL. . . A traffic warden checks out a car parked in Yorkshire Street.

Council cuts on-street parking charges 50 per cent

YORKSHIRE Street businesses are celebrating after parking charges were slashed in half.

The Chronicle can reveal that, from August 12, on-street parking in Oldham town centre will cost 20p rather than 40p for the first 15 minutes, and 40p instead of 80p for half an hour.

Motorists will be able to stay for up to an hour for 70p and 90 minutes for £1.10.

The maximum stay will also be increased by 30 minutes to two hours, and cost £1.50.

Council bosses announced the changes after traders lashed out at the tolls, saying they were driving customers away. But the figures, decided after consultation with businesses, have not been released until now.

Spindles and Town Square manager Mike Flanagan sounded a note of caution, saying: “I welcome this in principle, but my concern is that the traders might find that people will park on Yorkshire Street and go into town instead.”

But Maggie Hughes, from Zutti Co, welcomed the move.

She said: “It’s quite common for someone to come into my shop and then, say, go across the road and look at a fireplace, so the changes will definitely benefit my customers.”

Simon Taylor, from Mountain Feet, agreed: “It is quite a big concession and I can understand why they have gone for that sort of level to help rather than free parking.

“Long-term we want this end of town to be improved and its profile raised. This is a really good starting point.”

Customers drive from outside town to the Open Fire Centre and owner Alan Hopkinson said the existing charges put people off: “Customers put a short time on the meter and when the traffic wardens are coming, they have to shoot off half-way through a technical discussion and we possibly lose them as customers.

“The extension to two hours is an improvement. It does mean people can spend a long time with us.

“Very often people have driven 40 or 50 miles. While they are here there is the furniture shop next door and they will pop in. An hour and a half is eaten up very quickly.”

Sue Wrigley, assistant manager at Holden Photography also welcomed the move: “It is good for businesses here without a doubt. ”

Councillor leader Howard Sykes confirmed: “We were aware that the levels of on-street parking were seen as discouraging people from coming into Oldham town centre. We have moved quickly to put together a range of proposals.”