Chris Bishop

National List MP based in the Hutt Valley

Media statement

17 December 2015

Retailers and shoppers big winners in Council’s free parking trial

Chris Bishop is delighted the Hutt City Council has heeded calls from Lower Hutt retailers and residents by agreeing to a free parking trial in the CBD in the New Year. At its meeting on Tuesday night the Council agreed to several free parking initiatives to help attract shoppers back to High St and revitalise the CBD area.

From Friday 18 December to Thursday 24 December parking will be free on pay-and-display car parks for a maximum of two hours in the HC2 zone of Lower Hutt’s CBD. The Council have also agreed to free parking when there are large events in the CBD and to a four month trial of the first 60 minutes free for pay-and-display car parks with a two hour time limit.

“Retailers and residents have been calling for free parking in the CBD for many years. I've been pleased to support this campaign in the past couple of months through the freehuttparking.nz petition website. It's great to see the council responding,” says Mr Bishop, the National List MP based in the Hutt Valley.

“This is a win for fairness and for common sense. Full credit to the Council and to Mayor Ray Wallace for their leadership on this issue.

“While 60 minutes free parking will not be a silver bullet for the challenges facing the Hutt CBD, it is only fair that all retailers in Lower Hutt are equal when it comes to the cost of parking for their customers. I am calling on all Hutt residents to take this opportunity to reconnect with the CBD and show the Council that they made the right call.

“This decision strikes the right balance between allowing shoppers breathing space to shop and engage in commerce, while still encouraging important turnover of car parks for businesses. It is a positive move from a positive Council, and shows that we are a community committed to supporting local Lower Hutt retailers and hospitality.

“I am certain that anybody who is a regular visitor to the CBD will appreciate the efforts of those retailers and residents who have supported this campaign.”

For more information on parking in the Lower Hutt CBD visit the Hutt City Council website here: http://www.huttcity.govt.nz/Services/Roads-and-parking/Parking/Pay-and-display-car-parks/.

For more information on the campaign for 60 minutes free parking visit http://www.freehuttparking.nz/.

ENDS

© Scoop Media