Pay and display machines to be removed at two Redditch car parks at weekends (From Redditch Advertiser)

Pay and display machines to be removed at two Redditch car parks at weekends

2:50pm Friday 7th September 2012 in News

Buy this photo » Councillor Bill Hartnett at one of the town’s pay and display machines. Buy this photo RCR381201_a

WEEKEND visitors to Redditch will benefit from free car parking as pay and display machines are set to be removed from two sites in the town.

At a recent meeting of Redditch Council, members agreed that the weekend charges at the town hall and Trescott Road should be scrapped.

The decision came following an officer’s report which stated that the income from the two sites was unlikely to meet income targets originally suggested by external consultants.

Council leader Bill Hartnett said: “Although car park charges are a solid source of income generation these car parks were running at a loss and the shortfall would have had to have been made up from the council’s balances.

“What with the cost of maintaining the machines and managing the sites, this does make financial sense for everyone.”

The enforcement of the parking charges is carried out on behalf of Redditch Council by Wychavon District Council.

Although the removal of the pay and display machines incur costs, Wychavon District Council has expressed an interest in buying two machines with other interest in the third machine being sought.

Councillor Hartnett added: “I am pleased this decision has been made as it was high up on the Labour Group’s manifesto.

“We have delivered what we promised along with free swimming for under 16s and over 60s and are committed to providing free bus travel before 9.30am following negotiations with the county council and bus operators.”