Wolverhampton car park fees to be cut again

Charges at Wolverhampton city centre car parks are to be cut for the second time in less than a year under plans unveiled this afternoon to attract more shoppers and boost business for traders.

The price of parking for the first hour at Wolverhampton City Council-run car parks at Fold Street, School Street and Market Street is set to be reduced from 60p to 50p following recommendations made as part of a review into fees.

The report, which will go before the ruling Labour cabinet later this year, is also proposing all other charges at the three facilities, those at the Civic Centre, St Peter's and long stay car parks in Oxford Street, Church Lane, Faulkland Street, Peel Street and Broad Street are frozen for two years.

It is also being proposed that season tickets at Oxford Street and Church Lane be reduced from £90 to £80.

Since September last year, the council has provided free evening parking, after 5.30pm, at Fold Street, Market, Peel Street and Church Street.

This afternoon's announcement comes after the Wolverhampton Business Group submitted a 3,500-signature petition demanding cuts in parking fees in a bid to boost visitor numbers in the city and help traders suffering because of the recession.

Chairman of the group, Henry Carver, said: "The council deserves to be thanked for this. We haven't seen the end of the dereliction in Wolverhampton and the problem of empty shops."

Councillor Peter Bilson, Wolverhampton City Council's deputy leader, said: "We are continuing to look at ways we can reduce the cost of parking for visitors to our city.

"During these tough economic times, we recognise the need to do all we can to attract more people to our city, as well as helping shoppers, workers and residents who come to the centre regularly.

"Reducing parking charges or, at the very least, avoiding increases while still providing a high quality service is one way we hope to achieve that."

If approved by the council's cabinet, the new charges will come into effect on April 1 and remain in place until 2014.

Former Wolverhampton mayor, Councillor Malcolm Gwinnett, today welcomed the changes.

He said: "I welcome any reduction but if you're going to compete with Merry Hill you have to do far more than that.

"A discussion needs to happen with landlords about shop rates and rents.

"Places like Bentley Bridge where parking is free are starting to affect the city centre.

"Derelict buildings need to be demolished and replaced with something that people want."

Wolverhampton City Council is spending £13.4 million to spruce up the area left with empty shops by the failure of the £300m Summer Row shopping centre.