MP for Wellingborough and Rushden Gen Kitchen says she is furious at North Northants Council’s plans to introduce parking charges in council-owned car parks.

The Reform-led authority has published a draft car parking strategy which shows that charges could now be introduced across both towns.

Gen Kitchen MP said: “I’m furious that car parking charges may now be introduced in Wellingborough and Rushden.

"You cannot claim to support our town centres while bringing in charges that will harm workers and businesses.”

Gen Kitchen MP says she is 'furious' about NNC proposals to charge to park in council-owned car parks in Wellingborough and Rushden

placeholder image — Gen Kitchen MP says she is 'furious' about NNC proposals to charge to park in council-owned car parks in Wellingborough and Rushden

Wellingborough and Rushden drivers likely to be charged to park in North Northam...

The MP started a petition against car park charges last year after the unitary authority launched a consultation asking for feedback on the issue.

She is now organising a public meeting to show the strength of feeling among local people.

The strategy will go before the council's executive on Tuesday (September 15) and, if approved, the plans will be put out to public consultation.

Gen said: “The Reform-led council should be doing all it can to encourage people to visit out high streets and support our shops, cafes and restaurants.

"I urge constituents to contact their Reform councillors and let them know just what they think about these plans.”

NNC Labour councillor David Baker, who represents Wellingborough’s Victoria ward, said: “There has been a lot of talk from the Reform NNC group about making Wellingborough town centre more attractive and which I’ve been supportive of.

"However, some Wellingborough Reform NNC councillors campaigned last year on a platform to keep car parking free to help local businesses and promised that they’d resist any attempts to impose charges.

“If these proposals are ultimately agreed by Reform, and that would follow on from the debacle earlier this year over Jackson’s Lane car park, then it will be more evidence of their lack of transparency with residents and raises serious questions of trust given those campaign promises to keep parking free.”

Wellingborough’s Conservative group is also concerned, warning that the introduction of parking charges at North Northants Council-owned car parks in the town could be the ‘death knell’ for Wellingborough High Street.

As reported yesterday by the Northants Telegraph, Reform-led NNC has said that following discussion by councillors next week, the draft strategy will go out for public consultation.

And at this stage, no final decisions have been made on parking in North Northants Council-owned car parks.