New Station Road car park may be free on Saturdays

Friday, 20 February 2009

Councillors are to discuss plans to extend the free parking scheme which has been in place in parts of Calderdale since October 2008.

Mulcture Hall Road, Victoria Street, Cross Hills and High Street car parks currently offer free parking on Saturdays.

Following a review of the scheme, it has been suggested that the current free parking at the Halifax car parks continues, and that the scheme is extended to include Station Road car park in Hebden Bridge.

It's expected that a decision will be made by councillors at Cabinet on Monday 3rd March. Councillor Amanda Byrne, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Development, said, "People really seem to be making the most of the free parking in the Halifax car parks - occupancy rates are substantially higher. It seems logical that the free parking remains in place - particularly in the current economic climate. It's beneficial to both shoppers and traders. The success of the scheme is marked by the proposal that it be extended to Hebden Bridge. I hope both of these recommendations are accepted."

Hebden Bridge has been proposed as an extension of the scheme because currently all off street car parks are charged for, town centre car parks are full, and the car park remote from the town centre is under-used.

The Council's Parking Strategy Review is ongoing, and similarly inventive proposals may be identified for other parts of the borough as the review progresses. Station Road car park is managed as a joint venture between Calderdale Council and Hebden Royd Town Council, who have given their backing to the scheme.