Conservatives that represent the Rasen area have welcomed news that new parking charges, that came into force on Wednesday 5th October, will not be implemented in Market Rasen, until the festive period is over.

Conservative-controlled West Lindsey District Council Has decided earlier in the year to introduce car parking charges in the council’s car parks in the town. This will affect parking in Mill Road, John Street and Festival Hall.

Following lobbying by Conservative councillors, Lewis Strange, Hugo Marfleet, John McNeill and Thomas Smith, that business should not have to face the introduction of charges as Christmas approaches, and with a delay in installing the payment equipment together with the availability of the council’s contractor to resurface the car parks, the roll out of charges is being pushed back.

As a result, officers at the Council have made an operational decision to postpone the start of charging until the New Year, commencing on Tuesday, 3rd January 2017. Conservative Leader of West Lindsey District Council, Cllr. Jeff Summers said:

“The council is still committed to rolling out the charges in Market Rasen, I understand the need from a practical point of view to delay the introduction of charges until after Christmas.

“I am sure that this delay will help the businesses in the town at what is their busiest time of year.

“In the meantime whilst the council carries out repairs on the car park, we are asking motorist to be patient and park elsewhere during the work.

“The council is still committed to reviewing the economic effects of introducing car parking charges after it has been in operation for six months.”

Work on repairing the car parks, installing new white lines, signage and the charging machines will begin later this month.

The schedule for the repairs and resurfacing is as follows:

• John Street, Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, LN8 3BN (opposite The Salvation Army)  Work being completed on Monday 14 November 2016
• Festival Hall, Caistor Road, Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, LN8 3JA
• Work being completed on Tuesday 15 November 2016 Mill Road / Kilnwell Road, Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, LN8 3BN, (next to the Library)  Work being completed on Wednesday 16 November 2016

The work will involve the closure of the car parks from 7.30am to 5.30pm during each day’s operation, to allow a safe working area for the contractors on site. All vehicles will need to be cleared from the associated car park by the start time each day.

The council is asking motorists to use alternative car parking or other parking areas during these times.