New free parking plan for Tameside towns

Car parking could be free for the first two hours in Tameside town centres if council proposals to support local residents and businesses get the green light.

Tameside Council Executive Cabinet will review a report on the 23^rd of April.

The report recommends a new tariff due to launch in June 2025, that will offer 2 hours of free parking Monday to Saturday before 6pm.

It hopes to make it easier and more convenient for people to shop in borough’s town centres.

The plan follows a full review of parking, which involved extensive consultation with stakeholders, businesses and the wider community.

The review included direct feedback from over 700 people and nearly 250 further comments on council social media that have also been considered.

Cllr Stephen Homer, Tameside Council Executive Member for Towns, Transport and Connectivity said: “I’m excited about this proposal – this is a fantastic offer of two hours free parking that will really help businesses, residents and shoppers and support our town centres to thrive and move forward with modern shopping, living and leisure habits and needs.

“The offer is among the very cheapest in Greater Manchester – only one other authority currently offers free parking for as long as two hours – which will make Tameside a very competitive place to visit, shop and do business.

“We have listened to feedback and what people need and this offer underlines our commitment to supporting residents and businesses and backing our town centres. We have major plans underway to redevelop and revitalise Tameside’s towns and this offer is an important piece in the masterplan in helping them to transform and prosper.”

The proposals require over £1 million investment from the council to cover lost revenue and support highway maintenance and improvement.

It is hoped that the investment will be counterbalanced by a positive return in the form of town centre growth.

The report also recommends changing some long stay car parks to become short stay to support higher turnover and footfall. This is to help ensure availability of free spaces for users.

Beeley St in Hyde, Old St in Ashton and Denton Wellness Centre, are amongst those that could become short stay car parks.

It also proposes that car parks with low usage are closed in June 2025, including Hodgson St in Ashton, Market St in Droylsden, Ward St in Hyde and Harrop St in Stalybridge.

These sites are described by the council as ‘a drain on maintenance costs and an inefficient use of land that could instead be freed up to unlock regeneration plans, further boosting the local economy.’

The offer will also mean patients and people visiting loved ones at Tameside Hospital will also be able to get two hours of free parking Monday to Saturday before 6pm if they use council run hospital car parks.