A NEW disc parking scheme is to be launched for Settle Market Place.

The town council initiative is aimed at providing free limited parking in a bid to boost businesses.

The 'disc zone parking scheme' will allow motorists to park in the Market Place, including the area next to the chemist's shop, behind the Shambles and along one side of Cheapside and one side of the High Street, for set periods.

Timed 'clock discs', available from shops and tourist information centres, will be displayed by drivers and will give them two hours on the Market Place and up to 30 minutes in designated parking bays. When parking, motorists will set the discs to the time they arrive and will have to display them in a prominent place on their vehicle.

Settle’s Town Mayor David Taylor said that the scheme was a cost-effective way of providing free parking, which would benefit local businesses, as well as help townsfolk and visitors.

The scheme would also prevent vehicles from occupying parking spaces for long periods of time next to commercial premises, he said.

"This has been a long time in the planning and I would like to thank all Town Council members, North Yorkshire County Council, Harrogate Borough Council and all members of staff involved and, in particular, my predecessor Cllr Ian Robinson for enabling this to become a reality," said Cllr Taylor.

"There will be a period of adjustment until we all get used to the new scheme."

This scheme will apply Monday to Saturday, 8am-5pm, though there is no parking on the Market Place on Tuesdays between 6am and 6pm.

A start date has not yet been decided for the scheme. Harrogate Borough Council will be the enforcement agency for parking fines, and queries or appeals will be directed to them, with full contact details on the ticket.