MP hits out at plans for parking charges

MP Lorely Burt. (s)

A POLITICAL war of words has erupted over plans to introduce car parking charges across the borough.

Solihull LIb Dem MP Lorely Burt has slammed the borough's Conservative-led council for the proposals which she believes couldn't have come at a worse time - especially for Shirley.

The plans being mooted are to offer free parking for the first 30 minutes in council-owned car parks in Shirley, Knowle and Malvern and Brueton parks, followed by 20p per hour in the second year of the scheme and 40p per hour in the third year.

The first year would be considered a trial and despite having to display a ticket - that ticket would be free.

Mrs Burt has hit out at the plans, which she believes will pose serious problems for the already suffering traders of Shirley.

She even addressed Parliament on the issue on Tuesday (January 17) where she said the proposals would starve traders of business and choke off Shirley town centre.

She said: “It is crazy.

"The Tory councillors talk about helping regenerate Shirley town centre but how is this meant to help?

"They are out of touch with the needs of local shopkeepers who rely on the footfall that the free parking brings in order to survive.

“At a time of economic difficulty, this is the last thing that a struggling town centre needs.

"The council should be looking at ways to make it easier for the local shops, not harder."

Coun Ted Richards, Cabinet Member for Transport and Highways at Solihull Council, has spoken out in a bid to reassure residents that the plans will be good for any area they are introduced.

"They are not money-making ventures, but parking management initiatives," he said.

"We have a lot of problems with workers filling up all the free parking and leaving no spaces for the general public which is hugely detrimental to businesses.

"If there are more spaces available because they are not filled by commuters and workers then more people will be able to park to shop."

He also hit back at Mrs Burt's concerns for the traders of Shirley saying that if she and the Liberal Democrats had not spent the last seven or eight years campaigning against the Parkgate scheme then Shirley would already be benefitting from a bright, vibrant new shopping centre and the associated boost to the surrounding area.