Stockport Council brought forward plans to make the Railway station car park in Bramhall a chargeable car park.
At a time when small businesses around the country are struggling with higher National Insurance bills, increased rates and rents, businesses in Bramhall are about to suffer the added pressure of the closure of the precinct car park for an extended period of up to 9 months. Last year this led to a massive decrease in footfall. Removing the last remaining free car park will add to the pressure business owners are facing and drive shoppers away from Bramhall village centre.
The car park is also a commuter site, at a time when we should be encouraging active travel, an almost £300 commuter tax will just encourage people to use their cars putting yet more rush hour vehicles on the roads causing gridlock and pollution.
The health centre car park will still be free, however, the small amount of spaces will no doubt be claimed early in the day forcing vulnerable health centre patients to have to pay a car park charge to see their doctor or abandon their vehicle streets away around the little Australia estate.
Councillor Peter Crossen objects to this charge saying:-
I feel it’s important to make clear how bad an idea this is. This will put so much pressure on our already hard pushed local small and independent stores and retailers.
I urge the council to take time to stop, think and save Bramhall high street from the disaterious effects of this decision.
You can have your say by signing Peter's petition to stop the charge, today -
