More parking charges in Hereford could hurt local businesses
Hereford Business Improvement District says some shops in Hereford rely on customers being able to park outside
Plans to charge drivers in Hereford to park in more city centre streets could harm local shops, a business leader has said.
Mike Truelove, chief executive of Hereford Business Improvement District (BID) which represents hundreds of city centre firms, says an idea to charge in streets like Commercial Road would have a negative impact.
He says Hereford BID had consistently been against the idea to charge drivers for on-street parking, but it has already been introduced in some areas already.
He said businesses in Commercial Road, such as dry cleaners, relied on people being able to pull up outside and stop for short periods of time for free.
But the former Herefordshire Council Independents and Green coalition had been planning on bringing in more changes.
But those plans could be axed, depending on who ends up with control of the council after no party won a majority in this month's local elections.
Mr Truelove has called on the new administration - whoever that may be - to end the plans to introduce more fees.
"A lot of businesses have evolved because of the parking," he said.
"In Commercial Road you've got dry cleaners, you've got takeaways.
"This is the worst thing that could happen at this moment in time so we ask the new administration that's forming to not do this, to put it on hold."
He added: "Did we need the parking meters? We don't think so and we asked for that not to happen.
"But they came in. That seems to be the trend up and down the country."
Previously, former Herefordshire Council cabinet member for transport and infrastructure John Harrington argued more on-street car parking charges could be a good thing.
He said he understood concern that it could hit footfall, but said better management of parking reduced congestion, improved air quality and road safety, promoted the local economy and ensured good accessibility.
But he lost his seat at the local elections so will not be part of any administration - but parties are still talking to see how the council will be controlled.