CAR parking in Tameside town centres will be free for the first two hours if council proposals to support local residents and businesses get the green light.
A report, due to go before Tameside Council Executive Cabinet on 23 April for approval, recommends a competitive new tariff due to launch in June 2025 that will offer two hours of free parking Monday to Saturday before 6pm to make it easier and more convenient for people to shop in the borough’s town centres.
The plan follows a full review of parking, which has involved extensive consultation with stakeholders, businesses and the wider community – including direct feedback from over 700 people and nearly 250 further comments on council social media that have also been taken into account. The review has also involved benchmarking with other areas and taking on learning and good practice.
Tameside Council Executive Member for Towns, Transport and Connectivity Cllr Stephen Homer said: “I’m excited about this proposal – this is a fantastic offer of two hours free parking that will really help businesses, residents and shoppers and support our town centres to thrive and move forward with modern shopping, living and leisure habits and needs.
“The offer is among the very cheapest in Greater Manchester – only one other authority currently offers free parking for as long as two hours – which will make Tameside a very competitive place to visit, shop and do business.
“We have listened to feedback and what people need and this offer underlines our commitment to supporting residents and businesses and backing our town centres. We have major plans underway to redevelop and revitalise Tameside’s towns and this offer is an important piece in the masterplan in helping them to transform and prosper.”
The proposals will require over a £1m investment from the council to cover lost revenue and support highway maintenance and improvement, but it is hoped the investment will be counterbalanced by a positive return in the form of town centre growth.
The report also recommends changing some long stay car parks – namely Beeley St in Hyde, Old St in Ashton and Denton Wellness Centre – to become short stay to support higher turnover and footfall and help ensure availability of free spaces for users. While Queen St Car Park in Denton will change from short stay to long stay to provide all day parking for those that need it.
It also proposes that car parks with very low usage – Hodgson St, St Peter’s St and Welbeck St in Ashton, Market St in Droylsden, Ward St in Hyde and Harrop St in Stalybridge – are closed in June 2025 as they are a drain on maintenance costs and an inefficient use of land that could instead be freed up to unlock regeneration plans, further boosting the local economy.
The recommended offer will also mean patients and people visiting their loved ones at Tameside Hospital will also be able to get two hours free parking Monday to Saturday before 6pm if they use the council run hospital car parks.
The proposed new tariffs are set out below:
· Charges apply 8am to midnight (with no charges from midnight to 8am)
Monday to Saturday:
From 8am to 6pm.
Up to 2 hours – Free
Up to 3 hours – £1.00
Up to 5 hours – £2.00
All day (to midnight/8am next day) – £4.00
Evening (from 6pm until midnight/8am next day) – £1.00
Sunday:
All day (to midnight/8am next day) – £1.00
· Short stay car parks limited to maximum 3 hour stay.
· Pre-paid contract passes / season tickets can only be used in long stay car parks.
· Tariffs to be paid while charging an electric vehicle.I’m
