Free town centre parking in bid to boost profits
Free parking is being introduced in a bid to boost a town centre hit by months of roadworks that saw traders' profits plummet.
The 20 new spaces have been opened in Rugeley on the Horse Fair, where roadworks took 10 months to complete instead of five.
Traders say they hope it will attract shoppers to the town after the roadworks left some businesses struggling to survive.
The parking will be available for one hour between 8am and 6pm along a new central reservation.
Dave Hancock, who runs the Three Wishes card shop in Upper Brook Street, said: "As far as we are concerned this will be a good thing. It will mean people will pop into town for a bit, and then we hope they will come back again in the future.
"Parking is a real issue in Rugeley and if this brings people in to the town then it can only be a good thing.
"We need to encourage people to come into Rugeley after months of roadworks so we have to welcome this."
Staffordshire County Council's economy leader Mark Winnington said: "Regenerating our town centres is a vital part of our continued economic growth and the Horse Fair improvements will help to make Rugeley a more attractive place to shop, visit and invest in."
He added: "We have consulted with people and local business from the outset and had to get the balance right between incorporating people's views and delivering a scheme which will provide real long-term benefits to Rugeley."
Traders have held a series of meetings with council bosses since the roadworks were finished, raising fears that cycle lanes are confusing for drivers and are leading to queues of traffic.
Councillor Winnington has said he will look into the issue.
The roadworks were plagued with problems – including incorrect signage going up, wrong kerbstones being delivered, and a damaged BT box delaying work.
The carriageway was reduced to single-lane traffic and traffic lights were replaced with roundabouts.
