Borough Council rejects wholesale free parking, increasing from the current chargeless Saturdays

A Derbyshire council has rejected calls for wholesale free parking across the borough, increasing from the current chargeless Saturdays.

At an Erewash Borough Council meeting last week (Thursday, July 23rd), the Labour-run authority rejected calls from the opposition Reform UK and Conservative groups for widened free parking.

The meeting heard that while parking is free on Saturdays, a quarter of motorists are still paying to park, with Labour saying “we don’t want your money”.

Councillor Dan Price (Ref) had brought a motion calling for one hour of free parking every day of the week (in addition to the existing free Saturdays) to “recognise the difficult economic conditions facing our high streets”.

He said: “With economic uncertainty facing Ilkeston and Long Eaton high streets, a one-hour free parking policy would most likely encourage increased shopping. Bringing much-needed business to our high streets that are struggling.”

Councillor Frank Phillips (Lab) said: “There is no evidence that providing one hour of free parking would make a difference in footfall.

“One hour is less than the time that people need for just one shop and people usually don’t just go to one shop. They like to browse around and compare prices.

“This is the shallow character of Reform that goes looking for a headline rather than setting policies.”

Meanwhile, Councillor Wayne Major, Conservative opposition leader, said the Reform request was Conservative with a lower-case ‘C’ and that his group asked for free parking across all the council’s car parks every day of the week.

He said the authority would “cease to exist soon” (through Local Government Reorganisation), so should spend its money on projects that help the public.

Councillor Ben Hall-Evans (Con), said: “Neurodivergent people may not want to be out on Saturday when it is more busy because of the free parking.

“The one thing the High Street needs is people, not creating pressure points. People should be able to come to the town centre as and when they see fit.”

Councillor Kewal Singh Athwal (Con) said: “Free parking was frequently called for from the Labour Group. Let’s invest in our borough.”

Cllr Phillips interjected, saying he had never supported the idea of free parking.

Councillor Carol Hart (Con), former group and council leader, said: “We were harassed constantly about free parking at so many meetings (by Labour) and I thought it would be the first thing that Labour would do. 

“We were accused of stopping people going into our town centres and ruining local businesses.

“Instead, they increased fees, then froze them. You are going to get people (visiting town centres) on Saturdays anyway, it is the rest of the week that is the issue.”

Councillor Ann Mills (Gre) said: “Free parking is a good idea. Shops need customers every day. I don’t like going to the shops on a Saturday and for a lot of people it could be quite traumatic.”

Labour councillor David Snaith said: “When we took over, we were told we would be bankrupt in two to three years if we carried on like we were. 

“We must act as a going concern and have resources until vesting day (of the new councils, through LGR).”

Councillor Joel Bryan (Lab) said: “Reform’s plan is to do what we can’t afford and the Conservatives said ‘hold my beer’ and always want to spend other people’s money.”

Labour councillor Harrison Broadhurst said: “We all want to help town centres. Saturdays consistently saw the highest footfall and car park ticket sales.

“An hour of free parking was trialled in 2023, but it led to the unintentional risk of people staying less to avoid the charges.”

He said 25 per cent (one in four people) of motorists are still paying for parking on Saturdays, even though it is free, saying “We really don’t want your money,” adding the council needed to install larger signs.

Councillor Harry Atkinson, former Labour Mayor, said: “We want to help town centres, but we don’t feel this is the way to do it.”

Cllr Price, concluding, said: “How do you help town centres succeed if they don’t have any customers. Businesses are folding by the thousands across the country. One hour of free parking is better than nothing, to extend that goodwill.”

Labour councillors outvoted the opposition members on two separate votes against free parking across the borough and one hour of free parking by 17 votes versus 14.