TAMESIDE Council has been told to fix its ‘broke’ car parking system, sooner rather than later.
And it was reminded it was warned changes would fix something that did not need it.
The authority insists ‘nothing is off the table’ as it conducts a review into charges and provision after price hikes in 2023 proved extremely unpopular.
Stalybridge and Hyde MP Jonathan Reynolds has asked it to introduce three hours for free in town centres.
Now at a meeting of its executive cabinet on Wednesday, January 29, veteran Councillor John Taylor has hit out, saying nothing needed to be done.

The Dukinfield representative, part of the executive when the decision to more than treble the rate for three hours’ parking was made, said: “Some members will remember at a recent meeting that I advised we were mending something that wasn’t broke.
“We’re now mending something that is broke.
“The sooner we do it, the better and more people should get involved. I’ve met with m market traders and asked them.
“It’s right and what we’re doing will have a big impact on Tameside.”
A six-week public consultation period will now start after meetings with organisations like town teams.
And as many voices as possible over the issues around parking, including ones caused by the council’s own price rises, are being encouraged.
Cllr Stephen Homer, executive member for towns, transport and connectivity, told the meeting the review will be ‘clear, transparent and without preconceptions.’
“When we say nothing’s off the table, that’s exactly what we mean,” he added.

Cllr Claire Reid added: “It’s wonderful to see a really thorough deep dive into what we’re doing and decisions will be made based on evidence and the voice of our communities.”
And council leader, Cllr Eleanor Wills, believes the review could start bringing people back to town centres while it also shows the authority is willing to examine its own decisions.
She said: “This is about opportunity. It’s about us looking at our corporate priorities, our corporate plan and how this aligns.
“We should be our own critical friend as a council and ensure we’re doing the right thing across all areas.
“That drives the growth within our town centres. Covid-19 has seen that distance grow and social isolation. We want to bring people together and this is an advocate for that.
“I’m really hopeful we get some meaningful engagement through the public consultation.”