Calls mount for £1 parking to stay beyond Christmas

Bernadette Davis, manager of Vinegar Hill gift shop in Farnham, said extending the scheme could help local businesses

A group of councillors want a scheme offering reduced parking charges in an area of Surrey this month extended until at least March.

Waverley Borough Council has introduced £1 parking in Farnham after 13:00 GMT, from Monday-Thursday, from 9 December until 1 January next year.

The town has been beset by roadworks for 11 months and the current parking offer is designed to attract shoppers to the area over the festive period.

The council said it would need to review data and feedback from the current scheme "to ensure any future measures are based on robust evidence and deliver the best outcomes for Farnham".

Conservative councillors will present proposals to extend the offer at a meeting on Tuesday.

Councillor Jane Austin, leading the bid, told the BBC: "The work is extremely disruptive and it's really important than we offer targeted support to businesses.

Fees have been slashed in an effort to bring people into the town centre over the Christmas period

"We don't think that Farnham businesses should have to carry the burden, we want to protect the local economic vitality."

Businesses in Farnham agree, with Bernadette Davis, manager of Vinegar Hill gift shop, saying the council should "do anything that promotes people coming into town" and extending the scheme would be "most welcome".

"The parking, as everybody knows, is always quite expensive, so if it can be reduced I think that would help footfall a lot," she said.

"We need people to come in, especially during the quieter season of January when it's all a bit dark and dank, we still want people around in town."

Russell White, from Serina Bar and Grill, said: "I think it's positive news, long overdue because of the roadworks."

Mr White said he and a number of other traders had seen a noticeable drop in trade since the roadworks began, and having reduced parking fees into the new year would be "a massive help".

Mr White said a reduction in charges in general was long overdue

But Liz Fearnley, from Sweet Lizzy sweet shop, said it was a gimmick.

"What we need is cheaper regular parking, if they really cared they could have done something in the early summer instead of leaving it until Christmas," she said.

Surrey County Council, Waverley Borough Council and Farnham Town Council are sharing the £40,000 cost of the December scheme.

Ms Austin said it would cost another £56,962 to extend it until 1 March.

Councillor Tony Fairclough, portfolio holder for enforcement and regulatory services, said: "It's important to allow the scheme to run and gather evidence before considering any extension.

"Any decision to continue beyond January would require the agreement and funding of our partners and a clear understanding of its impact on parking availability, traffic and local trade.

"We will review parking data and feedback from businesses and residents after the Christmas period to ensure any future measures are based on robust evidence and deliver the best outcomes for Farnham."