End of the road for free parking

ALL-DAY free car-parking will be scrapped from Monday on selected car parks, replaced by either two or three-hour free stays.

The aim is to deter motorists from leaving their cars all day and free space for visitors.

Restrictions will be in force from 8am-6pm every day. Motorists who leave their vehicles over the time limit will be issued with a fine.

But parking officers will not be issuing any tickets to motorists who go over their time limit for the first seven days, until February 21.

Councillor John McCann, Cabinet member for regeneration and environment, said: “Oldham Council recognises that our district centres are vital to the economy of the borough, which is why we have taken the decision to limit waiting times in the car parks.

“The new measures increase the availability of spaces available in these car parks meaning that more citizens have the opportunity of parking and using local facilities, such as doctors, dentists and the bank. This can only be a good thing for the local economy. The owners of local businesses have told us free short-term parking will help support their businesses as currently people cannot find nearby parking spaces to just nip in.

“Up to now we have had people parking up and leaving their vehicles all day, the result being clogged up district centre car parks with no available spaces.

“At the same time we recognise it is important to continue to provide some free long-stay car parks for the benefit of commuters and residents.

“This means that free long-stay car parks in parts of the borough will remain where they are most needed.”

Below is a list of the car parks affected by the new short stay measures:

::Three-hour stay: The Museum, Uppermill, Warrington Street, Lees, New Street, Lees, Town Hall, Chadderton, Victoria Street/Bentley Street, Chadderton, Royton Precinct, Crompton Pool, Market Place, Shaw, West Way, Shaw, Milne Street, Shaw



::Two-hour stay: King George V, Uppermill, Smithy Lane, Uppermill, Hare and Hounds, Uppermill



::Long stay car parks (maximum 18-hour stay) Saddleworth swimming pool, Uppermill, New Street, Uppermill, St John Street, Lees, Ancoats Street, Lees, Cross Street, Lees, Chapel Street, Lees, Wellington Street, Chadderton, Park Street, Royton, Kershaw Street East, Shaw

For more information call Oldham Council’s Parking Services on 0161-770 3389.