End of free parking 'unviable' say traders

Traders and musicians in Liverpool have rallied against a decision to scrap free city-centre parking over concern charges would make their jobs "unviable".

Liverpool City Council approved plans last week to remove free on-street parking in the evenings despite close to 90 percent of about 1200 respondents to a public consultation opposing the change.

The change, introduced by the Labour run-council to crackdown on "inconsiderate parking", will see charges apply in on-street bays from 07:00 to 23:00 instead of 08:00-18:00.

David Dutton, a musician who performs at clubs in the city centre said the move would make his work "not worth doing" due to the cost.

He said: "I've just paid £6.40 today for parking and yesterday cost me £20 to do two gigs, so this will makes it totally unviable."

Labour councillor Dan Barrington said the move was needed as "inconsiderate and reckless parking" had made pavements and streets more dangerous.

Mr Dutton said he felt the rise in cost would "kill grassroots music in the city".

Fiona Hornsby, who owns the Bridewell Pub, said the charges add "another burden" to her staff, who cannot take the bus home as services stop at midnight.

She said: "They will either have to go out every two hours to move their car or are they going need to extend for six or seven hours.

"If they insist on this farcical charge then the public transport has to improve."

The Liberal Democrats in Liverpool have proposed a Plan for Scran scheme to incentivise customers back into the city centre by offering promotional offers at independent cafes, restaurants and bars, from Monday to Thursday.

Rob McAllister Bell is a councillor for Mossley Hill, and deputy leader of the council's Lib Dem group.

He said: "If you work in a bar, finish at midnight, or want a spontaneous midweek scran you shouldn't be penalised for it."

Barrington said the council had made changes following the consultation, including increasing the maximum stay in the Hope Street area to four hours.

Other measures introduced include new shared-use bays after 6pm for disabled, resident, and new pay and display or single yellow lines in a number of locations.

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