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New town centre parking arrangements to start next week

New town centre parking arrangements to start next week
02 October 2020

Changes to parking arrangements in the town centre will come into play next week.

The changes are being introduced to support town centre businesses and encourage continued use of shopping and leisure facilities.

The Council’s new free parking offer will start on Monday (5 October). Drivers will be able to park for free for up to two hours in most council-run car parks and on-street bays, Monday to Saturday. Drivers will need to check the new conditions at the machines and choose what option suits them.

Parking on Sundays is free in all council car parks.

Councillor Alan Marshall, Darlington Borough Council’s Cabinet member for Economy, said: “We know how popular the free parking has proved in recent months, as we have shown our commitment to supporting town centre businesses during the pandemic.

“As much as we may have liked to, we can’t continue to offer free unlimited parking forever. However, I am confident that what we have put in place is a solution that will continue to encourage people to come into town to use our fabulous shops and businesses. The time has therefore come to re-introduce time limits on the free parking available, to ensure it’s available to all.”
Councillor Andy Keir, Cabinet member for Local Services, added: “We want the most convenient parking spaces to be easily accessible for shoppers and visitors to the town centre. Having a time limit will ensure these spaces are available and turning over regularly to encourage people to support Darlington and continue to buy local.”

Drivers will need to display a ticket for the free two hours to show what time they arrived and must pay for any time required over the initial two-hour period. All display boards in individual car parks will be updated to make clear the charges for different time periods.

This offer will run until January 2021.     

“I am confident that what we have put in place is a solution that will continue to encourage people to come into town to use our fabulous shops and businesses. The time has therefore come to re-introduce time limits on the free parking available, to ensure it’s available to all”

- Councillor Alan Marshall, Cabinet member for Economy

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