Ukip councillor’s proposal for five months free parking in Blackfriars car park in Great Yarmouth

A proposal for free parking for residents in Great Yarmouth is being spearheaded by a borough councillor.

Ukip councillor for Northgate and Central Ward Chris Walch said he wants to offer a year-round ticket where you for seven months and get five free.

The payment of £217 would be required up front, rather than the current £31 for a monthly pass, which works out as £372 annually.

Cllr Walch would like to see the scheme trialled in the Fullers Hill Car Park.

'If you keep it down to £20 or less a month, then you will attract the people who work in the shops and offices in the town centre,' he said.

The plan would help the people living in that part of town with the parking issues they face, Cllr Walch added.

With the court closure in Lowestoft and cases being transferred to Great Yarmouth, that has only added to the on street parking woes of residents around Alderson Road and Northgate Street.

He also hopes that there will be the a bonus of alleviating the on-road parking spaces in the town centre to attract tourists and shoppers to spend money in the businesses there.

Cllr Walch hopes to present his plan to council soon and he said he hopes his fellow councillors will support the plan, which he said would put a lump sum into the council's coffers in one go rather than a monthly payment.

He added: 'Surely we have got to give something back to the community. We can't just keep on saying 'we want money, we want money, we want money.''

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