The AA has called on local authorities to introduce free car parking for Christmas to protect against Covid and boost the #ShopLocal campaign.
The motoring association has called for charges to be lifted from 14 December “to revive the festive fortunes of beleaguered shops and street traders”.
President Edmund King said free car parking periods have been used in the past by councils and shopping centres to boost Christmas trade, and that Now, more than ever, the hours and free parking locations should be extended.
“Opening up free parking would allow better social distancing instead of ticket machines becoming the Achilles’ heel of attempts to space out and protect visitors,” said King.
“Queuing is often a problem as ticket machines are located where shoppers are squeezed at car park entrances or close to toilets.”
