Shopkeepers' fury over pay-and-display

VILLAGE shopkeepers are to lobby a council meeting tonight over a controversial pay-and-display parking proposal.
Traders at Lymm are furious at what appears to be a “watering down” of the parking scheme in the village shopping centre.
They also believe a consultation exercise carried out by Warrington Borough Council was seriously flawed
Originally, the plan was to introduce pay-and-display on the village’s three car parks at Peppers Street, Henry Street and Davies Way.
But now it appears borough traffic chiefs want to restrict the scheme to the Pepper Street car park only.
Traders – whose businesses are suffering because people can’t park in the village – claim the plan is being watered down because of objections from a handful of people.
They also believe most of the objections are based on a misunderstanding of the situation caused by the flawed consultation exercise.
The shopkeepers will turn up at a meeting of Lymm Parish Council tonight to voice their fears – and their anger.
Traders’ chairman Phil Sexton said: “We know the parish council support us – it is not them we are angry with. But the item is on their agenda tonight and we want them to know the strength of feeling among shopkeepers.”
The original plan was for pay-and-display parking on all three car parks, with the first two hours free of charge – an identical scheme to a successful one at Stockton Heath.
Parking restrictions would be imposed on roads near the village to prevent a nuisance for residents caused by a major increase in on-street parking.
But now it appears the borough council is thinking of restricting the scheme to Pepper Street car park, leaving the others free.
Mr Sexton said: “We want councillors to know that shopkeepers still want the full scheme – not a watered down version.”
He said the consultation carried out by the borough council had failed to mention the proposals to restrict parking in residential roads – resulting in objections from residents.
But even so, only a minority of residents had objected.
Shopkeepers are also considering organising a petition among customers who, they are convinced, will support them.
“We are hoping as many people as possible will turn up at the parish council tonight. We will also be raising the matter with the borough council, which is the body that will make the final decision.”