Rushden Tories ‘disappointed’ at possible car parking charges for town
More voices have been added to the debate over the possibility of charges for car parking in Wellingborough and Rushden.
A draft car parking strategy due to be discussed by North Northants Council next week aims to provide a ‘consistent, fair and transparent approach’ while ensuring that all car parks cover their own costs.
As part of the strategy it is proposed that a number of council-run car parks will see the introduction or retention of parking charges, such as the multi-storey car park in Wellingborough town centre which is currently free.
Wellingborough and Rushden MP Gen Kitchen has spoken out against the proposals, as have Wellingborough Conservatives.
Now Rushden’s Conservatives have had their say.
A statement said: “We are very disappointed that the Reform-led North Northants Council are proposing to charge for parking in Rushden.
“The election leaflet for the current leader of NNC [Cllr Martin Griffiths] said ‘Free parking is essential to help local businesses’ and ‘their local councillors would resist any attempts to impose charges’.
“It is disappointing that they are reneging on this election pledge.
“Reform-led NNC are proposing to make a charge from the minute someone drives into any of the five named Rushden car parks.
“This will kill Rushden’s High Street which is already struggling due to Labour’s increased National Insurance and higher energy costs.
“We need to increase footfall to keep the shops viable, but charging will stop people visiting. Without visitors there will be no income to keep the shops and cafes in business.
“Reform-led NNC also want to make payments cashless, which will discriminate against people who do not have smartphones or who struggle with apps, particularly the elderly.
“Rushden Conservatives will be campaigning to get Reform-led NNC to drop this idea completely and have already started a petition which we are asking people to sign.
“We are also asking residents to reply to the consultation on the parking charges which NNC will be launching.”
Former Wellingborough mayor Raj Mishra has shared his views too.
The former Conservative, who now sits as an independent on the town council, said: “My recommendation to the consultation is this.
“If the council must recover some cost, make the first two hours free in every town centre car park, charge the least it can justify after that, keep evenings free, ring-fence the money for the town centres and review it after a year.”