Free parking boost for Walsall town centre to be trialled

The Conservative-led administration pledged to introduce a six-month trial in their election manifesto and they confirmed they would implement it in this municipal year.

Council leader Mike Bird said he was sceptical about the success the initiative would have in increasing footfall but added he was listening to requests made by residents.

Currently, parking on short stay council-owned facilities on a Sunday costs £1.20 for up to two hours and £2.30 for up to four hours.

Parking all day on long stay car parks on a Sunday costs £3.10. Disabled badge holders can park for free.

While a start date for the trial hasn’t been confirmed, the authority has confirmed it will be run on all council-run car parks. On street pay and display bays are already free on Sundays.

Councillor Bird said: “We did promise free parking in the town centre on Sundays. People are saying free parking will bring extra footfall into the area.

“I’m not convinced as we have tried it previously, during a Christmas period, and it did not have the desired effect. But we are listening to the people.”

He added they would have to look at creating a different landscape for the town centre, as part of their master plan in regenerating it. This would include more residential and open spaces being introduced and less reliance on shops.

Councillor Bird said: “We were not in favour of the previous administration purchasing the Saddlers Centre but we will make the best of it.

“We are seeing the shrinking of the retail offer in many towns and cities and it is certainly in decline. What we are seeing in an increase in the leisure aspect and there will be more and more people living in town centres in the future.”