NEW PARKING restrictions have been rolled out across Knowle in a bid to get more shoppers into the village.
Since Monday (October 2) free parking Monday to Saturday from 8am until 6pm has been reduced from three hours to two by Solihull Council and parking rates have also been increased at the Shoppers car parks including on St John’s Close and on High Street.
Parking for up to three hours now costs £1, up to four hours will be £2, up to five hours £3 and up to ten hours will be £4, which Coun Ted Richards claims these fee changes brings Knowle car park in line with charges currently operating in Solihull town centre.
The no return within two hours policy operating on all expired tickets – free or paid for is still in place.
Since 2013 motorists have been able to park in car parks around the village hall, behind Tesco all on St John’s Close and behind the Greswolde Arms on High Street free for three hours with a valid ticket on display.
However after speaking with businesses, the Knowle Society and Knowle Councillors it was decided the parking system was not allowing enough customers to access local businesses.
Coun Ted Richards OBE, cabinet member for transport and highways, said: “The parking management system was not allowing enough customers to access local businesses.
“The point of offering a free period is to encourage shoppers and those visiting businesses to come and use Knowle town centre. “It is not to subsidise people using it as their work car park.
“This new parking regime will support the town’s retail economy and other businesses ensuring a turnover of available parking spaces for their customers.
“Those who work in Knowle and currently use their cars should consider walking, using public transport or cycling and if this is not possible at least look at car sharing to minimise the number of cars trying to park in and around Knowle town centre.
“We will continue to monitor the impact of the changes with particular regard to parking displacing in to nearby residential streets.”
