Stop paying for parking, it's free - council begs

A council in Derbyshire has said it is "begging" drivers using its car parks not to pay at weekends, when there is no charge.

Erewash Borough Council said analysis of car park income fees had shown about a quarter of drivers were still paying on Saturdays.

"I was aghast when I got the car parks data through," said councillor Curtis Howard, the authority's lead member for town centres and regeneration, adding that it was not possible to give out refunds.

According to the council, since the free parking at all car parks it owns across the borough was extended from Sundays to Saturdays at the start of April, drivers had spent a total of £12,577 on parking, when they did not need to.

Yellow banners have been installed to stress to car park users that drivers only need to pay for parking between 08:00 and 18:00 on weekdays.

The signs say: "Parking is free of charge in this car park every Saturday & Sunday. There is no requirement to pay and display on these days."

Councillor Howard added: "We made Saturdays free because we wanted to make life more affordable for people, and it's the busiest day of the week in our town centres.

"It's not possible to give refunds to those who have already paid unnecessarily – hence our plea to those parking in Ilkeston or Long Eaton at the weekend: Please do not pay!"

During weekdays, fees are £1.50 for up to three hours and £4 for any longer than that.

The free Saturday parking is funded by the council's £6.5m Erewash Investment Fund, and aims to support shops and businesses in the borough.

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