Council plan two hours of free parking in Ashfield

If Ashfield District Council’s cabinet approves the motion next week, 10 per cent of bays at the three most used car parks will receive two hours of free parking.

Bays at Sutton’s Market Place, the Hodgkinson Road car park in Kirkby and in Piggins Croft, Hucknall, would see the changes.

Residents can already enjoy one hour free parking in these sites and now the council wants to reward residents introducing the extra free hour of parking.

The remaining 90 per cent of bays will stay at one hour for free.

A council spokesman said: “The introduction of two hours free car parking will follow on from the success of the free weekend parking during December.

“Hundreds of residents took advantage of the free parking increasing footfall across all the district’s town centres.”

If approved, Cabinet will regularly review the success of the free parking bays.

There are also plans to add 11 electric vehicle-charging points to public carparks across the district.

The rapid charging points charge vehicles in around 45 minutes, allowing drivers to charge their vehicles whilst enjoying the districts town centres and outdoor space.

The spokesman added: “By securing external funding we are able to provide these charging points at no extra cost to local taxpayers.”