I am a local resident, business owner and councillor, who is deeply concerned about the proposed removal of free parking periods at Lymm and Stockton Heath Carparks. This change, I fear, would have a detrimental effect on our community, potentially causing local businesses that we cherish to close. 

Please remember that in 2016, when charging was first suggested, our community rallied together with over 3,000 people voicing their objection to the council. Our resistance was heard and the council made changes that protected our local businesses, and our voice must be heard again. 

Parking charges can deter consumers from visiting local businesses, those that contribute to our unique community fabric. A study done by the Federation of Small Businesses in the UK shows that 64% of small businesses consider the lack of any free parking to be a barrier to their success (FSB, 2020). 

Local businesses are the backbone of our community. They create jobs, boost our local economy, and preserve our neighbourhood character. By removing free parking periods, we risk losing these cornerstone establishments to the detriment of our town.

Other areas of the town with council car parks have free parking, and we must ask why we have the only carparks that will be changed?

• 0-15 minutes: Free
  • Birchwood Station car park
• 4 hours free parking
  • Cobden Street
  • Grammar School Road car park
  • Jackson Avenue, Culcheth
  • Common Lane, Culcheth
  • Marsh Street car park – Orford
• Unlimited free parking
  • Sharp Street, Orford
• Free on Sundays
  • Times Square
• Free parking before 8am and after 6pm, Monday to Sunday.
  • Warrington Town Hall, 

I have spoken to our Borough councillors, and they understand the budget issues, but believe if you engaged with them before the consultation starts, they could propose a mutually acceptable position. 

As a reminder, the current free arrangements are:

In Lymm:

• Monday to Saturday, (9am - 10pm) 0-1 hour: Free

And in Stockton Heath, the Forge is:

• Free before 9am and after 3pm and on Sundays.
• Monday to Saturday 9am – 3pm, 0-15 mins: Free

Thank you for taking the time to read my petition, and for signing.