Free parking moves closer
FREE Saturday parking in Dunmow has moved a step closer after Uttlesford District Council s boss agreed to discuss the situation with shop owners. According to Dunmow Chamber of Trade and Commerce, free weekend parking will boost the town s appeal and hel
FREE Saturday parking in Dunmow has moved a step closer after Uttlesford District Council's boss agreed to discuss the situation with shop owners.
According to Dunmow Chamber of Trade and Commerce, free weekend parking will boost the town's appeal and help struggling shop owners pull through some difficult times.
However, the chamber had received no reply from the council's chief executive John Mitchell, despite several requests, and members feared they were being ignored.
Chamber chairman, Mike Perry, said: "We pay our rates to the council but have received very little support from them. We came up with the idea of free parking to boost trade in the town and stop people going out of business.
"Obviously the council own the car parks and so we need their cooperation. The least Mr Mitchell can do is reply to us."
After not responding to three separate e-mails sent over three weeks ago, Mr Mitchell said he is only too happy to meet with the chamber to try and help.
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Mr Mitchell said: "We would be very happy to discuss the issue of parking in Dunmow with the chamber of commerce.
"The last couple of weeks have been seriously disrupted by inclement weather - heavy snowfall last week and rainfall this week - which has meant council staff, including myself, and resources have been unusually stretched to the limit. It is for this reason that the chamber has not already received a response.
"However, I look forward to arranging a meeting in the near future to discuss the matter."
Although no fixed date has been set for a meeting, the chamber will be seeking early talks in a bid to attract new shoppers to Dunmow and bring some old ones back.
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