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Scrapping free car parks 'would kill trade'

BBC Blue, red and silver cars parked in a small car park in the centre of Cottingham. In the centre of the image, a woman walks across the tarmac. In the background are red-brick buildings.BBC
One of the free car parks in Cottingham, where charges could be introduced

Traders have voiced concerns about proposals to introduce charges at free car parks owned by East Riding of Yorkshire Council.

Members of the authority will meet to consider recommendations to bring in fees at sites across the county.

A spokesperson for the council stressed that no decisions had been made and the recommendations would be subject to "further consultation before any are taken forward".

Carol Winters, a shopkeeper in Cottingham, said the loss of free parking would "absolutely kill" the village.

"It will drive people to Kingswood and the Willerby shopping parks," said Ms Winters, who owns Winters Shoes. "I just think it’s so unfair."

Carol Winters, a shopkeeper in Cottingham, in her store. She has long blonde hair and has black glass perched on the top of her head.
Carol Winters fears charges would kill trade

The proposals – set out in a cross-party report – take into account how well a car park is used, footfall in the surrounding area and the quality of public transport links.

A total of 14 free council-run car parks are mentioned in the report, including those in Cottingham, Anlaby, Goole, Hessle, Pocklington and Willerby.

Suzie Holmes, the manager of John Turnbulls newsagents in Cottingham, said it was "vital" to retain free parking.

"With us just being a pop-in shop, so to speak, it’s easy and convenient for customers to just park the car up and pop in for a newspaper or cards," she added.

A head and shoulders view of cafe owner Willow Boyle, who has blonde hair and wears a pink t-shirt.
Willow Boyle, the owner of Blonde's vegan cafe, has mixed views on the proposals

However, not everyone took issue with the idea of fees. Willow Boyle, who owns Blondes vegan café in the village, said many of their regular customers were local people who walked in.

"To be honest, I think we should be encouraging people to walk and use public transport rather than drive," she said.

The recommendations are to be discussed at an overview management and scrutiny committee at County Hall on Thursday.

The council spokesperson said a "comprehensive car parking review" had been ongoing since October last year and the report did not make recommendations "regarding the introduction of new car parking charges in specific towns or villages".

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