Petition calls to increase free parking time in High Peak town

More than 200 people have signed a petition to extend free parking time in New Mills, in a bid to boost tourism and trade in the town.
Would you like the free parking in New Mills to be extended?Would you like the free parking in New Mills to be extended?
Would you like the free parking in New Mills to be extended?

The campaign is calling for an increase in the free parking time to two hours on the high street and in the town’s large car parks - instead of just 60 minutes as it currently stands.

The online petition was started last Thursday and has a goal of achieving 1,000 signatures.

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By Wednesday lunchtime it had already attracted more than 250 signatures.

The appeal reads: “Shoppers are avoiding our town centre and local shops for fear of receiving a parking ticket from one of the many traffic wardens who are constantly on duty in our town.

“One hour free is not long enough to visit our many lovely shops and to support of local businesses.”

Residents and business owners have been voicing their concerns about the issue - urging council bosses to take action.

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Vaska Prostova said: “As an owner of a local business, I am concerned that one hour is very insufficient for my clients and it is putting people off from using the services of local businesses and doing their shopping in New Mills.”

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Heather Mellor added: “One hour is not long enough for parking on the roads in the centre of New Mills.

“The town has a lot to offer and many people are deterred from visiting because of the parking restrictions.

“Local businesses are greatly affected by this.”

Richard Body MBE said simply: “Encourage shopping in the town centre.”

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Vicki Taylor commented: “Two hours free parking would encourage shoppers to use the cafes, library and to exercise in the Torrs too instead of having to leave earlier than they need to. Great idea.”

A spokesman for High Peak Borough Council, which is responsible for off-street parking in the district, said it was always keen to hear the views and opinions of residents.

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“We do already offer 60-minutes free parking on car parks in News Mills to support businesses and tourism – a benefit which is not currently available in all High Peak towns – and any requested extension to this would need to be considered in the wider context of car parking provision across the borough,” the spokesman said.