WE have made no secret of our view that something had to be done about car parking in Darlington.
The policy and practice have been too inflexible, over-zealous and off-putting. Traders trying to survive in the town centre have reached that view and so have shoppers.
Anyone who suggests these are the moans and groans of the same old protestors is simply out of touch. Darlington has become known as a parking unfriendly town and that is a damaging perception.
The concessions confirmed by council leader Bill Dixon and outlined in today’s paper are, therefore, to be welcomed.
The changes to car parking will cost more than £700,000 over two years. In the context of the crippling budget cuts a small borough council like Darlington has had to cope with under the Government’s unrelenting public sector squeeze, that represents a considerable investment.
Councillor Dixon says the aim is to “get shoppers in, get them parked and get them to stay”.
It isn’t rocket science but we hope it proves to be a successful strategy.
Darlington is just one of many town centres going through challenging times. With fierce competition from internet shopping and out of town retail parks with free car parking, the town centre needs all the help it can get and we all need to play our part.
The council has finally listened on car parking but that alone will not be the answer.
Talks need to continue on how Darlington can be improved as an enticing, user-friendly shopping destination, and the retailers – including the stall-holders in Darlington’s Victorian covered market – need to be fully engaged.
Ultimately, the town centre’s future depends on the people of the Darlington area supporting it. We urge them to make a pledge to shop local.
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