Chamber hits out at town centre parking increase

Rochdale business leaders have criticised proposals to make drivers pay more to park in town centres.

Local Government Minister John Healey claimed the rise would encourage more people to walk and reduce traffic congestion.

But Carol Hopkins, Rochdale Local Manager at Greater Manchester Chamber, said: “This is a ridiculous suggestion. Drivers already pay a lot to park in most of the town centres across Greater Manchester.

“Raising the cost of town centre parking would simply encourage drivers to make more use of out of town shopping centres and supermarkets at the expense of town centre shops. Therefore traffic congestion wouldn’t be reduced, simply moved elsewhere.

“The only thing such a rise in parking charges would achieve is the killing off our High Streets."

Local Government Minister Healey also said that councils should pay more for other basic services despite many people feeling the effects of the credit crunch and council tax rises.

In a speech to the Local Government Association, he said: "Only one in five councils are using charging to the full potential. Not just to cover costs but to shape their area.

He continued by saying that hitting motorists would result in 'reducing congestion, improving levels of health and exercise, encouraging the use of local shops'.