A price hike at an Ulverston car park has been scrapped after a backlash.
Westmorland and Furness Council has lowered the price of car parking at Buxton Place in Ulverston to 70p for a one-hour stay and £1.20 for a stay up to two hours.
The council initially raised charges for the car park on April 1 to £2.70 for a one-hour stay and £3 for a two-hour stay.
Following community feedback, the council lowered the charges to £1.90 and £2.70 respectively.
After further review, the authority lowered the charges to 70p for a stay up to one hour and £1.20 for a stay up to two hours. This is a 10p rise on the previous fares of 60p and £1.10 respectively.
A spokesman for Westmorland and Furness Council said: “We are always happy to listen to and consider feedback from our communities and we have recognised that the change in fees proposed for Buxton Place was disproportionate and have taken steps to address this with the new charges of 70p for one hour and £1.20 for two hours, an increase of just 10p on both the previous one hour and two hour rates.’’
MP for Barrow and Furness Simon Fell thanked the council for listening to the concerns raised.
Mr Fell said: “I’d like to thank everyone who responded to my call for evidence on this, filled in my survey and helped me make the case to the council for change. And thank you to the council for listening to the concerns we raised.”
The MP previously said he was deeply disappointed with the price hikes and wrote a letter to the chief executive of Westmorland and Furness Council.
Ulverston town mayor Michelle Scrogham, Labour’s candidate at the next General ELection, said the lower parking charges would have a positive impact on footfall in the town.
Ms Scrogham said: “I’m incredibly pleased that Westmorland and Furness Council have taken on board our concerns and reacted so quickly to rectify the parking charges.
“This will have a positive impact on footfall in the town, and will be welcomed by locals and of course the traders who had already noticed a drop in visitors.”
