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Parking: Town Centres
14 January 2025
Lead MP
Sonia Kumar
Dudley
Lab
Responding Minister
Alex Norris
Tags
DefenceEconomy
Word Count: 4619
Other Contributors: 10
At a Glance
Sonia Kumar raised concerns about parking: town centres in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Councils should investigate measures such as free short-term parking arrangements to support small independent traders and increase footfall without relying on excessive parking charges that act as a cash cow. The debate calls for more imaginative solutions like one-hour free parking, which has proven successful in other areas.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Local authorities across the country are increasing parking fees to address financial difficulties. In Dudley, council changes have sparked significant debate and concern among residents and traders. The rise of internet shopping has driven shoppers away from high streets, leading to a decline in footfall and viability for local businesses.
Discussed the importance of parking in town centre success, highlighted safety measures with increased police presence, and suggested a workaround for parent and child parking bays using current legislative framework.
Daniel Francis
Lab
Bexleyheath and Crayford
Supported Sonia Kumar's call for measures to reduce parking charges and consider free short-term parking arrangements to support small independent traders facing mounting pressures, including those tied into long leases.
Lauren Sullivan
Lab
Gravesham
Emphasized the link between parking issues and public transport infrastructure, advocating for improved rural networks to alleviate town centre accessibility problems.
Jas Athwal
Lab
Ilford South
Shared an example of how one-hour free parking had increased footfall in local shops and generated more business rates. He suggested that councils should be more imaginative in giving local people what they want.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
The hon. Member's concerns about increased parking fees are shared by many constituencies. He suggested that extending parking discounts could increase footfall and help town centres.
Kirith Entwistle
Lab
Bolton North East
Lack of family-friendly parking spaces and enforcement issues harm working families in town centres. Town centre parking needs to prioritise accessibility for all, especially pregnant women.
Melanie Ward
Lab
Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy
The MP emphasised the need for redevelopment funding to transform unused car parks into spaces that attract tourists, thereby enhancing the potential of their town.
Bayo Alaba
Lab
Southend East
High parking charges in market towns are pushing customers away, impacting local communities negatively. Contractors managing local assets should support the community more effectively.
Slough
Agreed with Sonia Kumar on the need to respect residents' views about excessive parking charges, which have become a cash cow for councils. He highlighted the negative impact such schemes can have on communities.
Harpenden and Berkhamsted
The Member highlighted concerns about recent parking charge changes in Harpenden and advocated for empowering local authorities to support businesses and high streets through investment.
Government Response
Alex Norris
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government
Government Response
The Minister acknowledged the challenges faced by town centres due to changing shopping habits and austerity. He discussed the importance of effective parking policies that reflect local community interests and contribute to town centre prosperity. The Traffic Management Act 2004 grants local authorities responsibility for parking provision, requiring them to strike a balance between residents, businesses, workers, and emergency services.
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Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.