FREE parking will be available for two hours in all car parks run by Tameside Council from June 2025.
The council’s Executive Cabinet has signed off the tariff, which was recommended following a review into the authority’s car parking provision.
The new tariff will be on offer before 6pm Mondays to Saturdays, in the hope of making it easier and more convenient for people to visit and shop in the borough’s town centres.
A final report was brought forward earlier this month after the aforementioned review, during which councillors told the public in January that “nothing is off the table”.
Stalybridge and Hyde MP Jonathan Reynolds, who is also the Government’s Business and Trade Secretary, also put forward his view that the council should introduce free town centre parking for three hours.
Controversial hikes in charges in September 2023 sparked fury among car park users and traders, who complained that the increased rates – from £1 to £3.50 for three hours in some car parks – were putting people off shopping and led to a decline in footfall.
The review was led by Councillor Stephen Homer, the Executive Member for Towns, Transport and Connectivity.
The council says an extensive consultation has been undertaken with stakeholders, businesses and the wider community – with direct feedback from over 700 people and nearly 250 further comments on social media being taken into account.
The authority has previously stated that these views would help create a ‘settled model for the next five years’.
Introducing the payless period will require more than £1 million of investment from the council to cover lost revenue and support highway maintenance and improvement.
However, the authority hopes it will be counterbalanced by a positive return in the form of town centre growth.
‘We have listened to feedback’
Describing it as “fantastic news”, Cllr Homer said that the new parking offer will “really help businesses, residents and shoppers” and “support our town centres to thrive”.
The Mossley councillor added: “The offer is among the very cheapest in Greater Manchester, making Tameside a very competitive place to visit, shop and do business.
“We have listened to feedback and what people need and providing two hours free parking underlines our commitment to supporting residents and businesses and backing our town centres.
“We have major plans under way to redevelop and revitalise Tameside’s towns and this offer is an important piece in the masterplan in helping them to transform and prosper in changing times.
“The offer will also mean patients and people visiting their loved ones at Tameside Hospital will also be able to get two hours free parking Monday to Saturday before 6pm if they use the council-run hospital car parks.”
Car park changes
As the report recommended, some long stay car parks – Beeley Street in Hyde, Old Street in Ashton-under-Lyne and the Wellness Centre in Denton – will become short stay to “support higher turnover and footfall and help ensure availability of free spaces for users”.
The council says Queen Street car park in Denton will change from short stay to long stay to provide all day parking.
Car parks with very low usage – Hodgson Street, St Peter’s Street and Welbeck Street in Ashton, Market Street in Droylsden, Ward Street in Hyde and Harrop Street in Stalybridge – will also close in June so the land “can be used more effectively to unlock regeneration plans”.
The new tariffs will be introduced once advertising required by law has happened and signage and systems are updated, on a date in June to be confirmed. They will be as follows:
Monday to Saturday
From 8am to 6pm: Up to two hours – free; Up to three hours – £1; Up to five hours – £2.
All day (to midnight/8am next day) – £4
Evening (from 6pm until midnight/8am next day) – £1
Sunday
All day (to midnight/8am next day) – £1
Short stay car parks are limited to a maximum three-hour stay, while pre-paid contract passes/season tickets can only be used in long stay car parks. Tariffs must also be paid while an electric vehicle is being charged.