Last updated at 19:46, Thursday, 02 February 2012

A “free after three” car parking trial is to be launched in Cockermouth’s Wakefield Road car park.

The three-month trial was agreed after a meeting between Cockermouth Chamber of Trade and Allerdale council on Monday.

The scheme, set to start soon, will mean that people parking from 3pm onwards will get free parking. For example, drivers could pay for an hour of parking at 2pm and gain the rest of the afternoon free.

Paul Carr, of the chamber of trade, said: “The chamber has been campaigning long and hard for better car parking arrangements for those visiting, living and working in the town.

“This is a step in the right direction.”

He said there had been concern that shoppers and visitors had to cut short their trips because of limits on disc parking and car park tickets.

Alan Smith, leader of Allerdale council, said: “We will publicise details as soon as we have finalised them and got the infrastructure, such as signs, in place.”

The council is working on a number of other parking initiatives, including making tourists more aware that tickets purchased after 7pm on all car parks are valid from 8am the following day.

They are also looking at how a pay-by-phone system, used in Keswick, could be introduced in Cockermouth.

Mr Carr added: “We are pleased that tourists staying overnight will be made more aware that tickets purchased after 7pm will be valid in the morning.

“No longer will they need to get up at dawn to put a new pay-and-display ticket on their cars. This is so important to chamber members in the hospitality trade.”

He said the chamber would continue to discuss parking with the council.

In March 2010, it launched a petition calling for free parking to help traders get back on their feet following the floods.

The 2,000-name petition led to a review of car parking across the district.

Another petition was started in December 2010 against a county council proposal to charge for on-street parking. It attracted 3,000 signatures and the plans were shelved by the county council.

Dave Siddall, chamber member, said: “The previous Allerdale administration were unwilling to help the town over this issue, but the incoming councillors have started to listen.”

First published at 19:19, Thursday, 02 February 2012
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk