Get on a bike or bus, BCP Council tells shoppers in row over scrapping free Christmas car parking

A CHRISTCHURCH councillor has condemned BCP Council for claiming that scrapping free Christmas parking is an eco-friendly move.

In a statement to the A&T, the council said one of the main reasons it had not offered free parking this year was to encourage people to use bikes and buses instead of cars.

But Liberal Democrat Cllr Mike Cox said: “The claim that it is anything to do with being environmentally friendly is complete rubbish.

“In my view BCP are being disingenuous and are frankly demeaning environmental causes by trying to say that is its reason for not giving shoppers free parking.

“This is entirely a financial decision and the council have no right to claim otherwise.”

Last year BCP laid on free late-night parking in Christchurch and Highcliffe every Thursday in December in the lead-up to Christmas. It was also free all day on Sundays.

But this Christmas shoppers will have to fork out.

In a statement, BCP said it was encouraging people to use bike or take buses to get to the shops, adding: “BCP Council is committed to encouraging more residents and visitors to use public transport so we’re working closely with our sustainable transport partners, including Morebus and Beryl Bikes, and will be supporting them in promoting seasonal offers to get people visiting our shopping towns in a more environmentally friendly way."

But they also admit they are facing a £55 million hike to its budget and said that offering free car parking “costs money in lost income”.

Cllr Cox said: “That is the real reason for this, BCP is cutting everything to the bone. Expecting people to hang their Christmas shopping bags from the handlebars of a bike is ridiculous.”

“Not having free parking will also hit businesses hard.”

Fellow councillor Simon McCormack was also angry: “Not only does this disadvantage the many businesses we have here in Christchurch, but also the families who have elderly or young children. The administration have clearly not thought this decision through.”

Cllr Andy Martin said BCP's decision was a "huge disappointment" but added:"Not a massive surprise given the financial mess BCP Council has got itself into.

“This is another example of how everyone will be paying the price for the financial mismanagement.

“It’s also another classic example of how BCP Council leaders don’t understand or care about the demographics of Highcliffe and Walkford.

“Suggesting people get on a bus when there aren’t many or, even worse, get on a bike is clearly unhelpful and basically pointless.”