Free after three parking to start next month

Rochdale Council is expecting to roll out the 'free after three' parking scheme early next month.

The scheme means that shoppers will soon be able to park for free in the town centre if they arrive after 3pm after the decision was finalised last week.

The move is aimed at helping local retailers hit by the recession and will see charges dropped for motorists arriving after 3pm on weekdays and Saturdays at the town’s council owned pay and display car parks and on-street metered parking spaces.

Andy Zuntz, Executive Director for regeneration at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “This is just one of a number of measures we’re putting in place to help local people and businesses to beat the crunch. It’s a difficult time for town centre traders so this initiative will encourage shoppers to spend money with local firms. Please support Rochdale town centre and its business community by keeping it local and spending in our shops.”

The scheme will also operate on pay and display car parks in Middleton town centre.

Parking on Sundays will remain free, and there is no charge for the night-time period between 6pm and 8am.

Drivers arriving before 3pm will still need to purchase a pay and display ticket to cover the full length of their stay – the ‘free’ period from 3-6pm will not apply to vehicles already in a space at 3pm. For example those arriving at 1pm and intending to stay until 5pm will need to pay for four hours’ parking, not two.

The signs in car parks and on meters are to be updated to display what charges apply when.

The Council is reminding motorists that they may receive a penalty charge notice if they do not display a valid ticket before the new scheme is introduced or before 3pm following the introduction of the scheme.

The Rochdale bus station car park, which operates a pay-on-exit scheme, will also be free for vehicles arriving after 3pm but motorists will need to have their ticket validated by a member of staff at the window on Level 2 (next to the pay machines) before attempting to leave the car park.