No charges at six Braintree and Witham car parks

3:27pm Thursday 4th December 2008

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Six town centre car parks are to be free in the days before Christmas, to entice shoppers.

The concessions at Braintree Council-run car parks in Braintree and Witham will be in force between December 20, and Christmas Eve, inclusive.

This will apply at George Yard shopping centre, the Manor Street bus park and Station Approach in Braintree, and Newlands Drive, White Horse Lane and Mill Lane car parks in Witham.

Halstead has not been included because its car parks are run by the town council.

Braintree Council leader Graham Butland said: “Our whole aim here is to encourage local residents into our town centres in Braintree and Witham to support local businesses.”

Edward Townrow, company director of Townrow Department Stores, who came up with the proposal for George Yard, said it was good news.

He said: “I think that’s a brilliant step from the council to help promote the town, and I think it’s a very, very good decision.

“I think more will need to be done next year to help keep people employed, but I’m very pleased the council looks to be serious about helping in every way they can.”

* Free parking could come to an end in future and parking charges increased.

A group of district councillors looking at the council’s fees and charges have suggested that free parking in Coggeshall, Sible Hedingham and Earls Colne should come to an end.

The current cost of parking for up to one hour in the district council’s car parks could also rise by 50 per cent, to 75p.

Council leader Graham Butland said any increase in charges for parking and other council services – including usual annual increases – would not come into force until at least April 1, 2010.

* Braintree Council’s cabinet has agreed in principle to a joint parking service with Colchester and Uttlesford councils, to cut costs.

The move would see the service hosted by Colchester, run from a central office with frontline staff based in each area, and overseen by a joint committee.

Each council would keep their responsibility for their own car parks assets.