7,000 fined in just 3 months after end of free parking

BUSINESSES SAY CHANGES 'SHORT-SIGHTED' AND AFFECTING ENTERTAINMENT BOOKINGS

- By DAVID HUMPHREYS Local Democracy Reporter

MORE than 7,000 drivers were caught out by the end of free parking in Liverpool city centre in the first three months of the new scheme.

It was confirmed in May that two-and-a-half years after the idea was first proposed, the local authority would finally move forward with plans to extend parking charges until 11pm.

Despite almost 90% of people indicating they were against the move, city leaders pressed ahead with the change, arguing it would standardise parking. It had been expected the amendments would go live at the start of June.

New data released to the ECHO via a Freedom of Information request has revealed how thousands of tickets were handed out to drivers between August and October this year. The largest amount of fines were located on Hope Street where 385 drivers were targeted.