Residents to protest over parking charge plans for council-owned car parks in Wellingborough
Residents will be making their views known with a protest against the possible end to free parking in Wellingborough.
Reform-led North Northamptonshire Council (NNC) is considering plans to introduce parking charges in council-owned car parks.
It has published a draft car parking strategy for the north of the county which shows that charges could be introduced in Wellingborough and Rushden – both of which are currently free.
The town’s Conservative group fear parking charges could be the 'death knell' for Wellingborough High Street, while the town’s MP Gen Kitchen is ‘furious’ with the proposals.
Residents who are unhappy about having to pay to park in the town are holding a protest at 1pm on Saturday (September 12) at Jackson’s Lane car park – one of the car parks which you may soon have to pay to use.
Freddie Harris from the Wellie Wombles group told the Northants Telegraph: “A lot of residents, in particular the northern conurbations and surrounding villages, all use the the Jackson’s Lane car park for day-to-day activities.
"There are no buses so the car is essential.
"Wellingborough has very little going for it in comparison to Corby and Kettering.”
Freddie fears that with Rushden Lakes as well as retail parks at Kettering and Riverside in Northampton just a short drive away and supermarkets with free parking, people will desert Wellingborough.
He added: “If our only jewel in our crown of free car parking is handed over to some organisation with associated charges, many believe it will be the final straw.”
For more details about Saturday’s protest, visit the Keep Free Parking in Wellingborough Facebook page.