HARLOW Council has confirmed that it will not be abolishing free parking for the first hour in the town’s three neighbourhood shopping car parks.

A 20p charge for the first hour of parking was set to come into force from 1 September 2013 but after careful consideration the Council has decided instead that it will increase existing longer stay fees (please see link in notes to editors to new charges) in other car parks across the town*.

Residents parking for one hour can volunteer to pay 20p and the Council will use the proceeds to support local community projects.

Councillor Tony Durcan, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Resources & Enterprise, said: “When the Council made the announcement in January we held off introducing the charge until 1 September 2013. This is because we recognised that removing free parking would have some impact on both residents and businesses. This was part of the tough financial choices we needed to take this year due to reductions in grants the Council receives from the Government.”

Councillor Paul Schroder, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, said: “In the last few months we have been listening to the concerns of both residents and businesses and we believe the best decision is to increase existing longer stay car park charges so the free parking hour can be retained. The average increase in long stay car park charges will be just 5p. This change in heart will ensure that the Council’s annual budget remains balanced and will help us to continue to provide services.”