A Merseyside council has been accused of making a "quick buck" over parking charges.
St Helens Borough Council made £944,264 from parking fees and penalty charge notices in 2021-22. There has been some controversy around the current parking system as some shoppers and workers in the town centre have accused the council of sacrificing the town's future for "a quick buck".
One such person is Andi Mason, manager of How Nice is That boutique on Church Street, she moved to St Helens from Huyton 23 years ago. She told the ECHO: "I'd say the town is dying, I really would. I think one of the major reasons why, people don't want to pay so much for parking to be able to use their town centre- there needs to be free parking like there is in so many other town centres- Warrington, Widnes.
READ MORE: Elle Edwards was 'singing and dancing' moments before being shot dead
"We're coming here five days a week, working to try and keep this town centre alive. To be fair to the council they say the parking charges go towards vital services but it just feels like they're sacrificing the future of the town for a quick buck."
Figures received by the ECHO through a Freedom of Information request show the amount of money made by the council through parking charges is steadily falling, with 2018-19 bringing in over £1.4m for the borough.
A shopper who regularly visits St Helens town centre told the ECHO: "I understand the council needs the money at the minute with all the plans they have, but surely there's better ways to get in than charging people to the point they avoid the town centre."
The council however, claims that the charges in St Helens are among the lowest in Merseyside, and point to the huge masterplan regeneration creating a need for "quality parking."
“We are actively working to deliver the adopted St Helens town centre masterplan, having secured planning consent for Phase 1 development in the Autumn, and it is this transformation multi-million investment that will support local businesses well into the future. We recognise the need for quality car parking facilities in the town centre and we have made a commitment to provide high quality safe parking day and night as part of the detailed proposals. We will also continue to support town centre businesses through a range of other initiatives alongside some of our current parking concessions that include parking for only £1 on Saturdays, free parking on Sundays and Bank Holidays, and discounted six monthly or yearly permits.
“We have recently launched a number of initiatives to assist people coming into the St Helens to attend major events, such as extending free parking arrangements during the Rugby League World Cup. In addition we have also waived parking charges for other events such as the recent Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott concert in the borough.
“We are also currently looking at providing further parking concessions for shoppers during the upcoming Christmas shopping period and hope to announce more details on this shortly.”
READ NEXT
Faces of 30 people police want to speak to immediately
Experts urge people not to put Amazon Echo in bedrooms
UK's most wanted list after Liverpool fugitive arrested in Marbella
Anfield redevelopment moves forward as club confirm new approach
