SHOPPERS in Knowle will be able to get one hour free parking from next month.
From April 5 motorists can park in the council-run off-street car parks for up to one hour free – less than a year after the decision was made to reduce the free parking period from two hours to just 30 minutes.
Last month the leader of the council, Bob Sleigh, put forward a motion to increase this to one hour.
The proposal was given the green light at the cabinet meeting on February 7 and was ratified by full council at a meeting on February 28.
Knowle councillor Alan Rebeiro had presented a petition to local businesses which had been backed by around 2,500 people which he presented to the full council meeting on February 5.
He welcomed the new proposals but voiced frustration that the one hour option was not accepted when he first suggested it as a compromise last year.
The announcement was made at a meeting in Knowle by senior council transport officers, says Coun Rabeiro.
He said: “I am of course delighted for Knowle traders and the community that the lack of urgency to act, expressed by the cabinet member for transport and highways when I presented my petition to full council was subsequently overtaken by the expediency of the leader of the council.
“However, the introduction of the decision on February 28 when the budget was passed, with one hour free parking coming into force this April and just before the May local elections is extraordinarily timely but very welcome.”
A Solihull Council spokesperson said: “The intended implementation date for parking charge changes is April 5.”
