By Sarah Nicholls

Last updated at 13:18, Friday, 15 February 2013

A freeze in council car parking charges has been announced.

Allerdale council’s executive agreed to freeze the charges for the first time in four years at a meeting earlier this week.

Pay and display car parks which will not see their prices rise from April in Workington include Brow Top, Central, Elizabeth Street, Horse Close, Ladies Walk and Udale Street.

The pledge from council leader Alan Smith move comes amid growing concern that Workington town centre traders are losing out on business as shoppers go elsewhere.

Mr Smith said: “Our car parks do make revenue for the council, but due to the economic climate it was almost a false economy to keep raising the charges for motorists.

“We need to protect all our town centres and independent traders.

“If there’s one way we can do this, it’s by making it more attractive for people to come into the town centres and spend locally.”

The recommendation has to be ratified by the full Allerdale council next month but Coun Smith said he was confident it would be approved.

Dave Fletcher, development manager of Workington’s Washington Square complex, said: “It’s a great idea and shows the council is thinking about the bigger picture. It’s the right thing to do and hopefully will make a difference.”

First published at 13:15, Friday, 15 February 2013
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk