I would like to alert readers to the county council's proposal to introduce on-street parking charges to Cumbria’s market towns.
 

This proposal flies in the face of all of the studies done into high street shopping decline in recent years.

The number one factor for empty shops and lost town centres is parking cost, usually caused by excess charging from short-sighted councils.
 

Up until now Cumbria County Council has realised the damage that the introduction of on-street parking charges would do. Not anymore!
 

Budget Proposal, theme 4, proposition 29 of the county’s draft budget will introduce parking charges, ticket machines and all the costs that go with it to Cockermouth (and other towns) streets.
 

This would be disastrous for our high streets and great news for the out of town supermarkets.

In the long (and short) term it can only bring increased costs in its wake.
Can I urge your readers to write into Cumbria County Council’s consultation process at Our area; Our future, Cumbria County Council, The Courts, Carlisle, CA3 8NA, quoting Theme 4, proposition 29, on street parking charges.
 

I know I speak for Cockermouth businesses in appealing for your readers help in this, but many of your readers may also want to support their own local traders in this way.


Jonathan Chippendale
Chair, Cockermouth and District Chamber of Trade