Cannock parking charges plan off

Charges will not be introduced on free on-street parking bays in Cannock town centre under revised plans revealed today.

But extra paid parking spaces will be brought in if the new proposals go-ahead.

A 60p rate for every half hour was suggested by council officers in a move which would have raked in more than £150,000 a year.

The fee would have applied to 37 bays in Market Place, Church Street, High Green and Queen Street, pending a successful pilot. Drivers can currently park for free but must leave within 20 minutes.

But, following a fierce half-hour debate at a meeting last night, members of the joint parking committee for Cannock Chase agreed existing free provision should be protected.