Stevenage businesses fear loss of free high street parking will destroy those already struggling
The possibility of removing free parking from Stevenage High Street is being considered as part of Hertfordshire County Council s Sustainable Travel Towns scheme
Business owners got together to protest against the plans (Image: Trevor Coultart Photography)
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Parking bays in Stevenage High Street have already been given over to seating areas - including a permanent fixture outside Costa Coffee and temporary ones outside Misya, Angelique, Cinnabar and Wetherspoon. Parking was also lost to three bike stands in 2020, but Stevenage mayor and Old Town councillor Jim Brown says there is no plan for full pedestrianisation .
He said the outdoor seating areas had initially been in response to the pandemic, but perhaps some of the temporary things can be made permanent after the experiment ends on September 30, if collected data supports the changes.
He added: Parking availability hasn t been a problem. People are becoming aware the [former Waitrose] car park is there, so pressure on the High Street is less.
Stevenage Old Town benches and bike racks action after row thecomet.net - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from thecomet.net Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.