Stockport Council to introduce new charges at 25 free car parks this year
New charges are to be introduced at 25 free car parks in Stockport this year.
The proposed new charges start at 50p for an hour rising to £2.40 for ten hours, according to a council report.
This change was proposed as part of last year's council budget to help cover the cost of running the car parks.
The council said there are already charges in place for the majority of its existing off-street parking spots around the borough.
During the Werneth Area Committee meeting on June 16, a Stockport council officer confirmed the council is aiming to have the charges in place this year.
A report on the proposed fees states that a resident parking permit will be offered to people living in homes within 100m of one of the car parks.
This would cost £47.50 a year to allow continued use of the car park, with a 50 per cent discount for people with the council's Leisure Key discount card.
A scheme will also be created for those who regularly use the car parks such as commuters or traders.
This would be at the current rate of £297 a year from Monday to Friday, or £356 across the whole week, with three and six month permits available to those who need them.
Concerns were raised last year about the impact the charge could have on parents using car parks for dropping off or picking up their kids.
A park-and-stride scheme is being thought up on a 'case-by-case basis' where there are major traffic or road safety concerns, and would allow parents and carers to park at certain times without needing to pay.
In-line with other Stockport council car parks, blue-badge holders will be able to park in any bay in one of the car parks without charge for up to three hours.
Stockport council has put together a socio-economic assessment of the plans, looking at how the decision could impact residents.
Labour Cllr Joe Barratt, the group's deputy leader, called to defer the item at the meeting, saying the work needed "more deep-rooted detailed engagement" with the people who could be affected by the parking charges, including local residents struggling from deprivation.
But this was rejected after a vote of three in favour and three against, with the Lib Dem chair of the committee casting the deciding ballot.
Lib Dem Cllr Mark Roberts, the council leader, accused Stockport Labour of "cheap politicking" and pointed out that the Labour government had not given Stockport any cash from its £600m Recovery Fund, one of the only councils in the country to miss out on the money.
The full list of car parks set for new charges includes:
- Bramley Close, Bramhall
- Guywood Lane, Romiley Railway Station, Romiley
- Hibbert/Church Lane, Marple
- Brabyns Brow, Marple Bridge
- Brabyns Park, Marple Bridge
- Middlers, Marple Bridge
- Brookside Lane, High Lane
- Buxton Road (Library), High Lane
- Buxton Road (Medical Centre), High Lane
- Windlehurst Road, High Lane
- Torkington Park, Hazel Grove
- Church Road, Gatley
- Finney Lane, Heald Green
- Church Road/Woods Lane, Cheadle Hulme
- Andrew Street, Compstall
- Hallam Street, Heaviley
- Green Street, Shaw Heath
- Arnold Street/Hardcastle Road, Edgeley
- Arnold Street, Edgeley
- Didsbury Road, Heaton Mersey
- Derby Range, Heaton Moor
- Ashbrook Lane, Reddish
- Margaret Street, Reddish
- Rupert Street, Reddish
- Redhouse Lane, Bredbury
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