Changes to town centre parking rules

The new Rochdale town centre parking zones

Changes to the rules that govern some car parks in Rochdale town centre come into effect next week.

Rochdale Online revealed in early January that councillors on Rochdale Township Committee had approved the changes, despite objections from staff at Number One Riverside, who had been parking throughout the day for free.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/100319/changes-to-three-hours-free-parking-scheme-in-rochdale-town-centre-approved

From 15 February drivers using certain town centre car parks will not be able to return to them and get another ticket once their three hours free parking hours are up.

Drivers will be unable to move their vehicles between the different car park zones in the same charging period.

Tickets must still be displayed at all times – including for periods of free parking.

Leader of Rochdale Borough Council, Richard Farnell, said: “We’ve had some fantastic feedback from shoppers and businesses since we implemented this policy [three hours free parking] last year and we’re making these small changes to make it even easier for shoppers and visitors to take advantage of the free parking on offer here in Rochdale.”

The plans will affect the following car parks: 

• Milton Street West (which becomes car park zone A)
• Lower Penn Street (which becomes car park zone B)
• Baillie Street (which becomes car park zone C)
• Upper Penn Street (which becomes car park zone D)

Milton Street East car park will become a permit-holders-only car park.

Other council car parks in Rochdale town centre will not be subject to the changes and car parks in Middleton, Heywood and Pennines are not included in the proposals.

The plans will be implemented from 8.00am on Monday 15 February.