Free Christmas parking present to Sandwell shoppers

Sandwell Council is suspending parking charges on the two weekends leading up to the big day.

Charges will be lifted at council-run car parks and on street parking on December 14 and 15 and 21 and 22.

It is hoped the move will encourage more people to visit the borough to do their festive shopping.

Meanwhile, motorists will also be allowed to park free of charge for the Christmas lights switch-on events in the borough.

Borough highways boss Councillor Maria Crompton said it was to encourage people to attend each of the festive ceremonies.

"We want people to go along and enjoy themselves without worrying about whether there would be parking charges in force," she said.

"This way they can turn up, have a great time without the fear that they might get a parking ticket when they return to their car."

Official signs notifying the public of the temporary scrapping of the charges are being put in place.

In Oldbury, the switch-on will be in the town square on Thursday between 5pm and 7pm, and there will be free parking in all Oldbury council car parks from 3pm.

Langley lights will go on on Saturday between 4.30pm and 7pm and there will be free parking in all council car parks in Langley from 2pm.

Old Hill lights will also be switched on on Saturday in Halesowen Road between 4pm and 6pm. There will be free parking in all council car parks in Old Hill from 1pm.

In Wednesbury, the lights will be switched on on Friday between 4pm and 7pm. There will be free parking in all council car parks from 2pm.

The decision to lift the charges comes as the leader of the council has ordered a review into charges at car parks run by the local authority.

Councillor Darren Cooper has said the council is looking at scrapping charges for motorists as part of a major review of fees. Councillor Cooper has said he believed the chance to axe charges could give trade a major boost.

The full details are being looked at with a view to an announcement being made on the changes in the new year.

Meanwhile, a new cut-price short-stay parking charge has also been brought in on some of West Bromwich's busiest streets. Motorists can park along High Street, George Street, New Street, Victoria Street, Lombard Street, Lombard Street West and Lodge Road for 15 minutes for 30p.

That is instead of buying an hour-long ticket for £1.20, or having to pay 60p to stay for 30 minutes in some areas, where that was the only previous option.