Rochdale Launches FREE After THREE Parking

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 1st Jun 2009

Rochdale Council has this week launched its new scheme that will see local shoppers receive free parking after 3pm, Monday to Friday, on all Council Car Parks.

In a bizarre turn around, Traffic Wardens in Rochdale Town Hall are being paid by the Council to advise shoppers and residents NOT to pay for parking in the town centre.

The initiative was put forward by the Liberal Democrats.

Rochdale's Finance Boss, Greg Couzens, said: "I am delighted that our new initiative is under way and I hope that many local residents will take advantage of the free parking. Our Town Centre is now cheaper than our neighbours in Oldham and Bury to visit. Our idea was that we wanted to encourage residents when they have finished work or have collected the children from school to come into the centre and shop at some of our fantastic stores."

Councillor Couzens added: "I have been a town centre business owner myself over the last 25 years and I have seen the devastation successive Tory and Labour Governments have brought to Rochdale. However, we as a Council really are determined to pull together to help our town centre as much as possible, especially during these hard economic times."

Rochdale MP Paul Rowen said: "I had the chance to chat to a few local residents today who were among the first to take advantage of the new scheme and everyone gave a positive response. I am hoping that the owners of our other town centre car parks, such as the Wheatsheaf Centre, will follow the Council's lead."

Paul added: "We have ambitious plans for our town centre that include a new bus station, a sixth form college, the metro-link down Drake Street, a new arts centre and much more. Rochdale Town Centre has a very exciting few years ahead of it."