TAMESIDE Council is to offer free car parking to shoppers at weekends in the run up to Christmas.
The Correspondent understands a decision was reached by leader, Cllr Gerald Cooney, following a presentation by Cllr Jan Jackson, the authority’s executive member for planning, transport and connectivity, earlier today (Wednesday, December 13) and is set to be announced.
Commencing on Saturday, December 16, car parking will be free in all short stay Tameside Council operated car parks across the borough to encourage people to shop local and support businesses.
Car parking charges have caused controversy across the borough following an increase in parking tariffs on August 2.
This was to encourage more short-term shoppers and not workers using parking spots ‘without spending a penny in the town centre.’
Charges at short and long stay locations increased to £1.50 for one hour, £2.50 for two hours and £3.50 for three hours, with an all-day fee costing and eye-watering £9.
In defence of the changes, Cllr Cooney stated that when travelling between Droylsden and Ashton he sees a central car park ‘full’ at 8.30am.
He said: “There isn’t a shopper in there – they’re workers. And there’s nothing wrong with that, but if anyone thinks that’s going to help the economy here, it isn’t. It’s full at 8.30am and it’s still full at 4pm”
Free car parking will be at Tameside Council operated car parks only.
This Council..couldn’t run a bath let alone a Borough. They are unbelievable.. Still not learnt a thing. Still treating some towns badly whilst favouring Ashton and Stalybridge. It beggars belief it really does. Time they were voted OUT They care not one jot for their electorate only themselves and their pockets. Shame on all of them.. from a very disgruntled Denton resident where we can’t even celebrate Christmas. .
Bunch of muppets wait until 16th December. Why not all of December if you are interested in helping the local economy. Clueless!
Empty carparks mean less shoppers means businesses suffering . Deterring workers by increasing the cost of all day parking seems a little unfair but most shoppers will only need up to 3 hours so why increase that price . Typical shortsighted council
We have trained chimps to go to space ,I am sure we can teach them to nock nails in to Ashtons coffin lid just as well as the council .I would even be prepared to donate the bananas .I would be embarrassed and ashamed to be a member of tameside Council.
Wrong, it’s £2 minimum for 3 hours in Ashton, I’m going to the doctors or pharmacy for 15 to 20 min.
At Tameside hospital how can you know how long to put in the pay and display – if you can find a parking spot. You could be 20 min. or 5 hours at your appointment, it’s crazy. (Wythenshawe has barriers like the always full multi-story and you pay as you come out)
I want to thank TMBC for increasing their charges. Since they quadrupled the cost of parking near Stalybridge train station, I’ve decided that instead of using public transport I now drive into Manchester and it only costs me half the amount to park all day, plus I save the cost of a monthly train ticket. So I’m actually £150 a month better off since the new charges came into force. Well done Tameside – another properly thought out policy change.
Wow, how kind. What about the people who work in Ashton. The council are punishing us for working there. I personally didn’t mind paying £2 a day to park for work but no way will I pay £4. What do they spend the money on. It’s a disgrace. People are investing to try to bring Ashton back to life and the council makes it impossible to improve the town. They will not get my vote going forward. Shame on you TMBC.
Just been to Ashton Wimpole street car park run by Tameside Councilto take advantage of the free weekend parking as advertised online and got a parking ticket. So what happened to the free parking ? have they got this wrong as well ?
16 December 2023 parked in Hyde on a tame side carpark today having just read that from 16 th Dec free parking for shopping when I returned in just an hour I had a parking ticket from tameside council ?? What going wrong here
Parked on Mulberry Street car park in Ashton taking up the free parking ‘Christmas gift’ , came back to find a ticket on the car, seems not all car parks are equal.
Parked in council car park near cosmo bingo on 16 dec thought it was free got a ticket
Tameside Council is controlled by the biggest bunch of BUFFOONS in the country. Incredible that they publicise free week end parking for Christmas and then people get tickets. Complete lack of organisation. Heads should roll. I don’t live in the borough but we used to come in for shopping on a regular basis , but have’nt done so since they put those ridiculous new parking increases in place. Just hope the Electorate remember all of this when the local elections come round in May. Get them out.