The fact that the forthcoming Tesco store will offer free car parking has placed in sharp relief the long standing issue of town centre car park charges.
Views are somewhat polarised, between the council who see it as an essential tool to help balance its books, and locals who (obviously) dislike paying. There was a considerable backlash against the council, whose staff park free of charge (for work).
This is never an easy argument to square, especially as some of Ruthin's car parks charge more per hour than Wrexham's.
Does the argument stack up that free parking at Tesco should mean free parking in town?
It's Tesco's land and if they want it free of charge, it's up to them. And why not? KwikSave does. Lo-Cost/Pioneer/Co-op has, ever since it arrived, and they already feed the town following free parking. So, won't people park in Tesco and walk into town? Isn't that a good thing? Or will Tesco be just too far, unlike Co-op?
Town centre car parks charge and if the town wants it otherwise, who will fund the difference? Mold's town centre parking was subsidised for a number of years following Tesco's and others mammoth Broughton stores. Why not in Ruthin? Why can't the council request Tesco's help? Without it, it would be unfair if the community as a whole were to pay for free parking, as the shortfall would need to be made up somehow, from taxes.
But if parking's free in the town, who will regulate the equitable rotation of spaces at St Peter's Square and other short stay areas, currently working so well?
Views are somewhat polarised, between the council who see it as an essential tool to help balance its books, and locals who (obviously) dislike paying. There was a considerable backlash against the council, whose staff park free of charge (for work).
This is never an easy argument to square, especially as some of Ruthin's car parks charge more per hour than Wrexham's.
Does the argument stack up that free parking at Tesco should mean free parking in town?
It's Tesco's land and if they want it free of charge, it's up to them. And why not? KwikSave does. Lo-Cost/Pioneer/Co-op has, ever since it arrived, and they already feed the town following free parking. So, won't people park in Tesco and walk into town? Isn't that a good thing? Or will Tesco be just too far, unlike Co-op?
Town centre car parks charge and if the town wants it otherwise, who will fund the difference? Mold's town centre parking was subsidised for a number of years following Tesco's and others mammoth Broughton stores. Why not in Ruthin? Why can't the council request Tesco's help? Without it, it would be unfair if the community as a whole were to pay for free parking, as the shortfall would need to be made up somehow, from taxes.
But if parking's free in the town, who will regulate the equitable rotation of spaces at St Peter's Square and other short stay areas, currently working so well?