MP celebrates cut in car parking fees
South Lakes MP Tim Farron has thanked South Lakeland District Council for agreeing to scrap overnight car parking charges. Tim also singled out Ambleside councillor Heidi Halliday for praise after her campaign to make sure communities within the National Park did not lose out.
Tim has welcomed this news and said local business people had told him reduced charges would make a 'massive difference' to them.
Under the original plans some of the council car parks in Ambleside and Grasmere would have been free after 8pm compared to 6pm throughout the rest of the district. Heidi,working with Lakes Parish Council and councillor Vivienne Rees have campaigned to have that plan looked at again.
Today she made her case to cabinet and cabinet agreed to her proposals which will make King Street in the centre of Ambleside free after 6pm and not Low Fold as previously proposed for 8pm and she secured a meeting with council bosses to discuss investment in the area.
Tim said: "Cheaper parking will boost business, boost the economy and make a difference on our high streets. I'd like to congratulate Heidi on her campaign and her hard work on this issue - it's really paid off with today's changes."
Ambleside and Grasmere Councillor Heidi Halliday added: "I'm pleased that Cabinet listened and acted on my request for free overnight parking from 6pm on the King Street car park. This is ideally situated to enable the local community to park for free of an evening whilst using many of Ambleside's varied amenities. I also look forward to meeting with SLDC leader Peter Thornton to discuss future investment in our area which will benefit both the local community and businesses"
Leader of South Lakeland District Council Peter Thornton further added: "Cllr Heidi Halliday made a persuasive case today and I'm pleased that we were able to work with her and her community to deliver the scheme that's best for Ambleside. I'm very happy to sit down with Cllr Halliday to discuss our plans to invest more money into exciting projects in the Ambleside area that will benefit the whole of the Lakes. "