Two hour free parking scheme will continue for another year

The scheme which lets motorists park for free for two hours in two of the town’s car parks will be extended for a further year.

The move was agreed by members of Arun’s District Council’s cabinet at their meeting on September 10.

Councillors pledged support would continue for the initiative for a further 12 months, subject to confirmation of financial contributions of £7,000 from local traders and £29,000 from Bognor Regis Town Council – Arun will contribute £29,000.

The council’s leader, Cllr Mrs Gillian Brown, said: “So far we have received good feedback for the free parking in Bognor Regis and extending it will allow us to look in detail at the effect it has had.

“We hope shoppers will take advantage of the continued free parking, save money on fuel by shopping local and support their town centre at the same time.

“There’s a huge variety of products and services on offer in Bognor Regis’ shops and markets.”

Free parking was introduced in the town in December 2011 on a trial basis in the Fitzleet and Lyon Street car parks by the district and town council.

It covered 367 spaces in the Fitzleet multi-storey and 61 in Lyon Street ground-surface car park.

Discs went on sale for £1 which allowed free parking for the short stops in any of these spaces.

Figures show more than 11,000 discs have been purchased and there was has been wide support for the trial to be extended from both traders and motorists.

Discs are available from more than 23 outlets in Bognor Regis town centre as well as Bognor Regis Town Hall and the Bognor Regis Observer office/self-serve visitor information point.

The scheme will be reviewed in December 2013.