Local authorities urged to rethink parking

A business group has called on local authorities to "stop driving small businesses out of town centres" with their parking policies.

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) is set to take this message to the Liberal Democrat Party conference, as it launches the first of its mini manifestos for the Keep Trade Local campaign.

It is set to be officially unveiled at a fringe event in Bournemouth with party president Simon Hughes MP.

The manifesto will call for local authorities to look at parking as an essential service, as opposed to a "short term revenue grab", alongside incorporating parking strategies into their local transport plans.

Other suggestions include considering park-and-ride schemes and innovative real-time parking meters, which vary the price depending on how many spaces are free.

FSB national chairman John Wright said: "High streets across the country are the engines of local economies and they depend on sensible parking provision for successful businesses.

"Only when parking policies are seen as a service that is bespoke, smart and a fundamental part of an area's transport strategy will independent retailers survive on our high streets and in our town centres."

The FSB has also posted a petition on the Number 10 website.

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