Readers share critical views over free after three parking scheme in Carlisle

Carlisle City Council will be providing Free after 3pm parking on Late Night Thursdays, which they say is to benefit the high street.

Starting on Thursday, December 2, the free parking scheme will be available in the following Carlisle City Council car parks: Bitts Park, Caldew Riverside; Castle; Lowther Street; The Sands Centre; Swifts Bank, Viaduct and West Walls.

The offer will be available on the following Thursdays: December 2, 9, 16 and 23.

Carlisle City Cllr Nigel Christian, Portfolio holder for Environment and Transport, said: “We need to do all we can to support the local high street and we hope that by providing free parking after 3pm in some of our city centre car parks on Late Night Thursdays, residents will choose Carlisle as their Christmas shopping venue.”

With mainly negative and critical reactions, readers shared their views.

Tracey Anderson said: "Carlisle City Council supporting the local high street, is this a joke?

"The robbers have killed our city centre, free parking but no shops."

Julie Julz Charter pointed out that there are issues with the parking system as is: "Was shopping today, it cost five pounds for the Viaduct car park machine, but it had no paper in it so I had to pay twice."

Richard Percival offered up an alternative for the parking operations: "Make the city centre free at all times, make the supermarkets charge 50p per hour for their parking."

Nic Barnes didn't think the change would be worth it in the end: "Free parking to go look at derelict, empty, run down buildings, grab a coffee then a haircut and go home."

David Postill questioned the City Council on their intent to support local shopping: "If Carlisle City Council supports local shopping it should be free parking during the day while kids are at school so parents can do shopping."

Gavin Johnston, the sole commenter who was pleased to hear this news, said: "Awesome, needed it for a long time.

"It works well in Newcastle!"