Free town centre parking scheme leaves Dudley Council £500k down

Earnings from parking for Dudley Council plunged from around £1.27 million to £725,000 in the space of a year, new figures have shown.

Leaders introduced two hours’ free parking on council-run car parks in a bid to bring more shoppers into town centres and boost businesses.

But the move has seen the authority lose out on a substantial chunk of cash.

Figures released following a Freedom of Information request by the Express & Star showed the authority made £725,974 from parking charges in 2017/18.

The total was down from £1,276,765 the previous year and £1,329,990 in 2015/16.

Money made from parking fines also dropped during the 12-month period.

The council made £439,568 from penalty charge notices in 2017/18 compared to £543,892 in 2016/17.

Bosses at the Conservative-controlled council accepted they would take a hit financially when launching the offer but insisted it was the right thing to do for shoppers and businesses.

However, the move was labelled a ‘publicity stunt’ by opposition councillor Hilary Bills.

The top streets where drivers are most likely to be fined were also revealed.

Castle Street in Dudley remains the borough’s parking fine hotspot, with traffic wardens having regularly been out on the pedestrianised area.

Next was High Street, Dudley, followed by High Street, Stourbridge, High Street, Pensnett – near Russells Hall Hospital – and Stone Street, Dudley.

Dudley Council leader Councillor Patrick Harley said: “The free parking has reduced income to the council, however introducing free parking was about increasing footfall and boosting trade for our local town centres to help them thrive and not use the motorist as a cash cow.

“We are the only council in the West Midlands to introduce such a scheme, it has been hugely welcomed by both traders and shoppers and we firmly believe it will help rejuvenate our much loved high streets throughout the borough.

“The areas where most penalty charge notices are issued are in the main town centres, where there’s high demand for parking, so I would always advise shoppers wanting longer stays to make use of the two hours’ free parking at our town centre car parks.

“Parking restrictions serve an important purpose in ensuring our roads are safe and free flowing. If drivers ignore these restrictions or park illegally they must expect to receive a fine.”