Conservative Candidate for Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Paul Bristow, has pledged to introduce free parking in Peterborough City Centre - and now St Neots Town Centre - should he be elected on 1 May.
As part of a plan to encourage more visitors to centres and support retail and hospitality, Paul wants to use money set aside for the Combined Authority to introduce some sort of free parking scheme.
Paul’s plan involves the Combined Authority in some way subsidising this lost income for the Council.
Announcing his plan, Paul stated:
“Businesses and residents tell me time and again that the Peterborough City Centre and St Neots Town Centre need plans to encourage people to visit.
But we hear precious little from our Councils. I am fed up of waiting, so I am going to do something about it.
“Free parking could be the boost we need to encourage people back into our Cities and Towns. With free parking at out of town, it is difficult for the businesses in our centres to compete. I want to try and create a level playing field.
“I understand money is tight. The Combined Authority needs to be more than just a body that passports money to local Councils. The cash should come with conditions. Free parking could be one such condition.
“I want the our Councils to work with me should I win to come up with a workable plan. Combined with a zero tolerance approach on antisocial behaviour, this could be massive step in the right direction.”