MP leads calls for free parking days
13 March 2008
MP Shahid Malik is calling for free parking days to be introduced in Dewsbury in an attempt to bring more shoppers to the town.The Labour minister began campaigning for a change in parking charges in 2006[1] when hundreds of local people signed a petition in support of the idea. Mr Malik said that there has never been a more crucial time than now for Kirklees to look at ways of brining trade to the town centre.
The move follows a meeting of Dewsbury Forward last week at which a number of local traders expressed support for the idea.
Shahid said: "It's now more than a year since I first took up the issue of free parking on traditionally quiet days in Dewsbury town centre and many local traders and retailers were involved in the campaign and collected hundreds of names on petitions in shops, pubs and cafes."
"The strength of feeling on this issue is evident throughout the local business community. When many car parks can realistically be described as near empty on non-market days, it is not unrealistic to look at introducing free parking to encourage more shoppers into the town centre."
"The benefits of free parking days on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday are clear to see from the perspective of anyone who works, shops or has a business interest in the town."
"It is my clear belief that any revenues lost to Kirklees through dropping parking charges on these days would be minimal and would be massively outweighed by the benefits of attracting more shoppers into the town. Given that last year there was a near-£16,000,000 left unspent by Kirklees I do not think it unreasonable to make such demands."