Anger at town centre parking charges

Many residents in Rochdale are unhappy with parking charges in Rochdale town centre when some say that "there isn’t much of a town centre to come to".

Car parking in Rochdale has been an issue raised at council meetings and township meetings and yet residents throughout the town are still upset at the prices they pay for parking.

Linda Phillips, who volunteers at Rochdale Foodbank, was shocked when she was charged £4.50 to park in the market car park. She said: “I won’t be going back to that
car park again. A few bits of fruit and vegetables from the market turned out more expensive than what I planned because of the parking.”

Linda regularly parks in the bus station car park which usually charges her £1.50 for her time. When she went to use that car park last week she was told she would be
charged £2.80 because the machines were broken. Linda didn’t want to pay that so moved her car to the market car park.

After volunteering at the Foodbank, Linda went to the market for her fruit and vegetables and took them back to the car. Linda checked the price of her car park before heading for a quick look on Yorkshire Street. When she checked, the car park would have cost her £2.50. By the time Linda returned to the car ten minutes later, the price had gone up to £4.50.

“I was shocked. I must have been on the edge of the £2.50 charge and it just shot up. I didn’t expect it go up that much,” said Linda.

The market car park in Rochdale uses vehicle registration plate recognition so a ticket is not given when the car arrives at the car park.

Linda added: “I won’t be coming to shop in Rochdale again and I won’t bother going to the market either. It is just too expensive when there isn’t a lot here.”

Rochdale Online also spoke to some other Rochdale shoppers during the week about their opinions on parking.

Mr Dyer said: “I think it is ridiculous. I have just had to pay 90p for what will be 10 minutes in town whilst I call into the bank. It should be free.”

Rebecca Leech said: “I use the car parks every day for work. It is a bit much. I spoke to the council about getting a pass for a year and they wanted £1,000 for it.”

Lorraine Harrison said: “I don’t come often but when I do I don’t think it’s that bad compared to some other places.”

Council car parks in the town centre do offer 'free after three' and it was stated at the Rochdale Township Committee meeting in November that a full review of car
parking services is under way.