Great to be on BBC News to talk about the impact of increasing in-town parking charges compared to free out-of-town retail.
While it’s vital that we provide good active travel options and affordable and reliable public transport infrastructure, if we keep increasing parking costs in town compared to free retail parks we are just going to push customers out. A balanced approach needs to be taken especially when small businesses are facing rising costs on so many fronts.
Parking also needs to be safe and secure (and we need this for bicycle parking too) so that users can leave cars and walk safely to the shops without concern for their, or their car or bicycles, safety.
Check out Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) high streets report for more on creating the right environment for thriving town centres and supporting independent retailers and leisure businesses.