EXCLUSIVE
CHARGES at an Ashton-under-Lyne car park are being reduced ‘imminently’ while work to transform its town centre is going on.
It will soon cost £1 for three hours at Old Cross Street from Monday-Saturday and a further review into the cost across the borough will be carried out.
Traders in the town have hit out at the raising of fees, which mean people may have to pay £9 a day to leave their vehicles all day at a short stay facility.
It currently costs £1.50 for up to an hour, £2.50 for up to two and £3.50 for up to three at one.
However, Tameside Council has opted to cut the tariffs on the car park at Old Cross Street – at least during work on the outdoor market ground, which is just getting underway.
Speaking to The Correspondent, Cllr Vimal Choksi said: “Old Cross Street will be set at £1 for three hours. We want you to be there for that time.
“The intention is to remove the £9 fee and all others that we have there too.
“We are talking to traders and we’re aware that we need to do something about them.
“We’re also undertaking some reviews of the car parks, but we’ve taken action on this particular car park ahead of them.
“Procedures have to be followed in terms of the removal of items and to consult with our cabinet.
“Signage and the payment machine will be changed. However, it’s just a case of waiting for the company that provides them to come back to us with a date for when they can do it.
“But the changes will take effect imminently. All we’re waiting for are the final details.
“At this moment in time, there’s no defined end date but we can discuss what we may need to do after the work is completed.
“We’ve been thinking about this for a while and council leader, Cllr Gerald Cooney, has agreed to it.
“We understand the impact on traders all the construction will have and we want to take them on board. This is what we can do at this moment in time – but it will be subject to further review.
“We’ve listened to the traders and this is what we want to bring to the town centre.”
Last year’s rise in car park charges across Tameside caused consternation among some traders, with some posting photos of empty facilities.
This move on Old Cross Street, which will host a table top market on Sundays while, work is done on the market ground, is sure to be welcomed.
And Cllr Choksi, Tameside Council’s executive member for town centres and communities, said a wider review will be carried out.
He added: “The intention has always been to carry out a review into the car parking scheme, as we’ve laid out previously.”
I put a complaint in to Tameside when charges went up. I note that the decision was made by a committee and not the full council. Already, 2 businesses that I have personally used are now closed. I now park in Arcades and note that the Tameside car parks are nowhere near full, so I suspect revenue has not increased.
You know it is possible to get into Ashton without using a car, you do this awesome trick we’re all capable of called walking. I know amazing right. Plus if you must use a car just park it on a side street somewhere and again use your legs a bit it’s really not very difficult. Me sarcastic? Never.
Why pay to park in Ashton when you can park in Denton crown point for free .if you give motorists 2 hours free parking. I am sure more people would shop in Ashton more myself included.
What about the people that work in Ashton
Paying £9 per day for 5 days equates to £180 a month so over £2000 a year – disgusting charges . Also the cost of using council car parks at Tameside hospital is ridiculous.Tameside Council should be ashamed of fleecing.