'Free after Three' parking coming to Wilmslow

Motorists can enjoy free car parking after 3pm in the town from next month, as part of a new initiative by Cheshire East Council.

From August 5th, parking on Spring Street Car Park, along with six other car parks across the Borough, will be free of charge from 3pm each day.

All-day parkers will also see their usual costs reduced as part of the scheme, known as Free after Three.

The Council has introduced the changes in a bid to support businesses and encourage more people to visit their local town or village centre.

Earlier this year, the Council announced that Free after Three would be trialled on the Whalley Hayes car park, in Macclesfield, and this has been in place since July 1st.

Now, six more car parks at: South Street, in Alderley Edge; Spring Street, in Wilmslow; Princess Street in Knutsford; Back Park Street, in Congleton; Christchurch, in Crewe and Snow Hill, in Nantwich will benefit from the scheme.

Councillor David Topping, Cabinet member in charge of the environment, said: "I am pleased to announce this initiative, which is designed to help our businesses during what I realise are difficult trading conditions on the high street.

"We also want residents to have the opportunity to spend time in their local town or village centres without having to pay for parking.

"The Whalley Hayes car park, in Macclesfield, has been very busy since we introduced this and I do hope that businesses will gradually be able to notice a difference."

Free after Three will be reviewed after six months. Revised charges for the seven car parks will be displayed on the tariff boards and/or next to pay-and-display machines.

What do you think about the Free after Three scheme at Spring Street Car Park? Do you think it will encourage more people to visit the town? Use the comment box below to share your views.

Tags:
Cheshire East Council, Parking, Spring Street Car Park
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Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

Aidan Killoran
Sunday 28th July 2013 at 8:46 pm
This was discussed when Handforth Dean and the Trafford centre first opened years ago and traders told the Council they would lose business as these places have free easy parking . For what ever reason the council just didn't want to know about helping them It's been so hard for local traders to attract customers you just need to see how full Handforth Dean is every day and even Sundays from 10.30 let's hope it does all the Towns get an influx customers flocking to the shopsI guess if its to popular then charges will come back in Fast !!
Bethan Phillips
Monday 29th July 2013 at 10:28 pm
Great news!
Julia Prestbury
Thursday 1st August 2013 at 1:14 pm
Excellent news!
Diane Atkinson
Thursday 1st August 2013 at 3:01 pm
Great news! But why only Spring Street car park? This must be be most underused car park in Wilmslow. I think the council know they won't lose any income by selecting this car park alone.
Richard Jackson
Sunday 4th August 2013 at 11:47 am
Not much use after 3 pm when housewives have picked there kids up from school and the dark nights coming,why not make all day free parking on Saturdays.