Free parking in lead up to Christmas

PARKING will be free on the three Saturdays leading up to Christmas in Beccles, Bungay, Halesworth and Southwold.

Waveney District Council announced yesterday that parking will be free all day in those towns December 5, 12 and 19.

There will be free parking in Lowestoft from 2pm on Saturday November, 28, when the Christmas lights are switched on, and arrangements are currently being made for switch-on events in the market towns.

Parking in Lowestoft will be also be free from 6pm on Thursday November 26 and Thursday December 3 for late night shopping. In addition, the usual Christmas tariff for Sunday parking in the town has been waived from 13 December, in favour of the new all day rate of just �1.

As a result of recent changes to the Traffic Road Order (which guides parking in the district), from Monday December 7 evening parking in Lowestoft is free from 6pm and there will be a flat �1 fee for all-day parking on Sundays, at all car parks in the town (until 31 March 2010).

These changes extend beyond the Christmas period, but will bring additional benefits to local businesses during the festive season.

Councillor Stephen Ardley, portfolio holder for health and wellbeing and chairman of the Waveney Norse Partnership, which operates the council's car parks said: 'We hope that these reductions, initiatives and the introduction of certain longer-term changes will encourage people to visit our towns.

'We have listened to the views of traders and believe we have struck a good balance between seasonal specials and more lasting changes. All our towns have something unique to offer and we hope these incentives help them generate some additional trade this Christmas.

'Going forward, the introduction of free parking from 6pm all year round, should assist businesses including the seafront traders and stimulate the night-time economy.'