Sandwell parking fees may go to boost trade
Parking charges on council-run car parks in Sandwell could be scrapped in a bid to boost trade, it was revealed today.
Sandwell Council is looking at axing charges for motorists as part of a major review of fees.
Council leader Darren Cooper said he hoped the move would encourage more shoppers into Sandwell.
The review comes despite the council doubling the cost of parking and introducing new charges at 19 new sites across the borough on April 1.
Councillor Cooper said the details were being looked at and he hoped to make an announcement on the proposed changes in February or March next year. He said: "It is not just about scrapping the parking charges, it is about traffic management as well.
"What we will do is have to put parking restrictions in at certain places like the high street so people can park there for an hour or a couple of hours, but the big car parks they can park for four or five hours.
"I have been listening and looking very carefully at our current parking charges and I have ordered a major review of the current system to see whether or not we can do something to help the general public.
"I've ordered a major review of parking charges and I am of the opinion that I would like to scrap them, but I cannot give a commitment to that until we have worked up our budgets for the next couple of financial years."
Councillor Cooper said if the proposals go ahead, drivers would still get a ticket from the parking machines to say what time they arrived, but they would not have to pay.
