Call for free parking looks to have fallen on deaf ears

TOWN centre traders have urged councillors to let their customers park outside their stores.

A petition handed in to Redditch Borough Council had the support of 336 signatures asking for a 20-minute short stay or drop off zone in Church Green or the surrounding area.

Alex Faulkner from Harvey’s Dry Cleaning on Unicorn Hill asked councillors to give them a ‘fighting chance’ by allowing customers to drop off or pick up items.

“We need customers to be able to pull up outside. It would be good if we could reach any kind of compromise to help us as the first part of the town visitors to Redditch see is ours.

“If shops are empty, run down or struggling it does not create a decent impression for the rest of the town.”

Dean Corrigan from Heaphy’s on Church Green West added their customers were also finding it hard to find places close by to park.

“There should be spaces to pull up where you have 20 minutes to run to a cash point or drop off a hire suit,” he added.

But town centre co-ordinator Lyndsey Hadley said there could not be two traffic orders in one place at the same time, meaning short stay parking spaces could not be used on Unicorn Hill where there was currently a taxi rank.

It was also felt there was no room for parking on Church Green West due to the heavy traffic and the bus stop on the road.

Coun Bill Hartnett moved to send the issue to the Highways Forum which has specific powers to make a decision with other councillors voting for the traders to be able to attend the forum to put forward their case.