Free parking for an hour to be instated at town site ...

Free parking is to be instated at a Horncastle car park in the near future - but for one hour, not the two hours town councillors have been calling for.
St Lawrence Street car park will offer one hour free parking in the near futureSt Lawrence Street car park will offer one hour free parking in the near future
St Lawrence Street car park will offer one hour free parking in the near future

In a joint statement, the town’s three East Lindsey District Councillors - Coun Sandra Campbell Wardman, Coun Fiona Martin and Coun Richard Avison - said they were pleased to be able to confirm that after many meetings and negotiations, car parking will be free for one hour in the St Lawrence Street car park.

The statement continued: “This will come in to force as soon as possible.

“Appropriate signage and changes to the ticket machine have already been ordered.”

The councillors said the one-hour free parking offer in Horncastle will bring it in line with the market towns of Alford and Spilsby.

The Market Place car park will remain at 30 minutes free and The Wong will be free all day, both with tickets from the machines.

At the town’s Tesco car park, it will still be possible to claim back the £1 parking fee from the two hours parking, when you shop in store.

The statement concluded: “This change is for the foreseeable future, not just the next couple of months, and we all hope it will help our town to recover following lockdown.

“Shop Safe, Shop Local.”

As recently reported in the Horncastle News, parking was a hot topic at last month’s town council meeting, with councillors asking for ‘equality’ with free parking offers in neighbouring Woodhall Spa and Coningsby.

Across East Lindsey, parking charges were suspended in April after the country went into lockdown.

While charging was reintroduced in June at tourist car parks along the coast, free parking was extended at all amenity car parks across East Lindsey until last Saturday, August 1.

Speaking after the announcement of the St Lawrence Street car park change, Richard Barker, who serves as a town councillor, criticised the way the matter has been dealt with, saying he was “disappointed”.

He continued: “Once again I find this a typical management debacle by ELDC and PR disaster.

“Why was charging brought in before the machines had been changed to provide one hour free in St Lawrence Street.

“That’s the least ELDC could have done, particularly as the two- hour free time slot has not been negotiated by our district councillors.

“Again, why does Woodhall Spa have two hours free and we don’t?

“I trust all town councillors will express their disappointment and press for what we were told would be achieved, and that no charges would be brought in until the reduced rates were available when the machines are altered.

“No doubt some councillors will disagree with my remarks, but when I speak to the shops and businesses, they will feel yet again let down, and will be less than impressed and no doubt critical of both ELDC and the town council.”

Related topics: