No free parking for Diamond Jubilee revellers in Stoke-on-Trent
REVELLERS enjoying Jubilee celebrations in Stoke-on-Trent will have to pay to park – after party-pooper officials refused to waive charges.
Across the border, Cheshire East Council has decided to waive parking charges on Monday and Tuesday, in celebration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
It will also be free to park in Newcastle.
However, Stoke-on-Trent City Council says it has no intention of lifting its parking charges for any of its 34 car parks and a total of 3,713 car parking spaces, 121 disabled spaces and 38 motorcycle spaces.
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Councillor Ruth Rosenau, Labour, cabinet member for regeneration, planning and transportation, said: “Parking is going to be as normal."
Richard Cresswell, chairman of Longton Chamber of Trade and owner of engineering and ironmongery products firm RD Cresswell and Co, said: “It’s very short-sighted. It is a special occasion and if the council did waive the parking charges it would help small businesses, which is what they want.
“It is going to be a nice weekend, the weather will be good and people will be out and about.”
Bill McDonald, chairman of Tunstall Chamber of Trade, said: “We are quite conditioned to pay parking charges in Tunstall, we don’t expect anything from the council.
“Free parking would be nice. We’ve only got a couple of shops open over the bank holiday. It might encourage more to open, if we could get increased footfall by not having to pay.”
Meanwhile, in Newcastle and Cheshire, revellers will be able to soak up the party atmosphere without having to ensure they have a valid parking ticket.
Councillor Rod Menlove, Conservative cabinet member with responsibility for environmental services, said: “Cheshire East Council has taken this decision to ensure that party-goers can concentrate on enjoying themselves for the whole celebration, rather than worrying about if their ticket has expired.
Apart from the two bank holidays, parking in Cheshire East is free on Sundays, meaning penalties will only be enforced on Saturday.
Paul Bates, chairman of Congleton’s Business Association, said: “I think it’s fabulous, there’s a lot going on in Congleton and we are expecting a lot of people.
“It’s a great opportunity for people to come into the town centre without worrying about parking.”
A spokesman for Newcastle Borough Council said that although no special arrangements had been made, parking was free anyway on Sundays and bank holidays.
Weekend and bank holiday parking charges are enforced in Stoke-on-Trent.
Comments
by begorrah
Saturday, June 02 2012, 11:45AM
“not only to clean up the streets after the "party". The council will need all the money they can get to build a brand spanking new civic centre or two in Hanley, (plus free car park for the senior officers no doubt) and to fund the moving of everything from the current site in Stoke, you know, the one lit at night by nice shiny multicoloured lights, the one that is only a handful of years old.....”
by E_D_Wivens
Friday, June 01 2012, 8:44AM
“doesn't bother me either, Mrs Wiv and I are flying out to New York for a few days later today.”
by kitcrew
Thursday, May 31 2012, 8:41PM
“The only place to celebrate the jubilee is london,thats where IT is happening.”
by jefffb
Thursday, May 31 2012, 7:17PM
“Tight councillors, remember who voted for this when the elections come round. Councillors expenses are a nice earner for some.”
by Redpitlad
Thursday, May 31 2012, 5:34PM
“Don't risk it..! just stay away.
because bank-holiday or not, the city council will have traffic enforcement officers out,
trawling..on street parking...highways... back streets...and pay and display car-parks! with instructions to make a killing for the slightest of infringement.....you have been warned.”
by PlayboyLeaLea
Thursday, May 31 2012, 5:14PM
“doesn't surprise me in the slightest... i ain't celebrating the jubilee... i'm sodding off to blackpool for the weekend ha x”
by ghosts
Thursday, May 31 2012, 4:45PM
“I wouldn't shop in Hanley even if parking was free...which it should be for those who have no choice.....”
by Alberus
Thursday, May 31 2012, 4:43PM
“Why should there be free parking? The council will need every penny they can get to clean up the crud-covered streets and scattered remains of bunting everywhere.”
by Cheshire2010
Thursday, May 31 2012, 4:34PM
“Where is it coming from that it's going to be nice?! The forecast is cloud and rain all weekend! Another reason to go to the Trafford Centre instead.”
by stokeyjokey
Thursday, May 31 2012, 2:56PM
“I will not be celebrating in Stoke then, simple.
Why can't they understand that paying to park is a big deal? It's not just about the money, it's the inconvenience of making sure you have the correct change for the ticket machines (that fail to give change or accept notes!).
Please sort this out Ruth. Stop thinking about cash in the council's pocket and start thinking about regenerating our city!
Why oh why do you think retail parks and supermarkets are doing so well? It's not rocket science!
Sacrifice and compromise must be made in order to continue on a path that guarantees success for the City of Stoke-on-Trent.”