Great news for shoppers, residents and businesses in Tameside

Two hours free parking in all Tameside Council run car parks will be available from June this year.

Tameside Council’s Executive Cabinet has today approved a competitive new tariff that will offer two hours of free parking Monday to Saturday before 6pm to make it easier and more convenient for people to visit and shop in the borough’s town centres.

Tameside Council Executive Member for Towns, Transport and Connectivity Cllr Stephen Homer said: “This is fantastic news - two hours free parking in all Tameside Council run car parks will really help businesses, residents and shoppers and support our town centres to thrive and move forward with modern shopping, living and leisure habits and needs.

“The offer is among the very cheapest in Greater Manchester, making Tameside a very competitive place to visit, shop and do business.

“We have listened to feedback and what people need and providing two hours free parking underlines our commitment to supporting residents and businesses and backing our town centres. We have major plans underway to redevelop and revitalise Tameside’s towns and this offer is an important piece in the masterplan in helping them to transform and prosper in changing times.

“The offer will also mean patients and people visiting their loved ones at Tameside Hospital will also be able to get two hours free parking Monday to Saturday before 6pm if they use the council run hospital car parks.”

The offer follows a full review of parking, which has involved extensive consultation with stakeholders, businesses and the wider community - including direct feedback from over 700 people and nearly 250 further comments on council social media that have also been taken into account. The review has also involved benchmarking with other areas and taking on learning and good practice.

The plan will require over a £1m investment from the council to cover lost revenue and support highway maintenance and improvement, but it is hoped the investment will be counterbalanced by a positive return in the form of town centre growth.

Some long stay car parks – namely Beeley St in Hyde, Old St in Ashton and Denton Wellness Centre - will become short stay to support higher turnover and footfall and help ensure availability of free spaces for users. While Queen St Car Park in Denton will change from short stay to long stay to provide all day parking for those that need it.

Car parks with very low usage – Hodgson St, St Peter’s St and Welbeck St in Ashton, Market St in Droylsden, Ward St in Hyde and Harrop St in Stalybridge – will close in June 2025 so the land can be used more effectively to unlock regeneration plans, further boosting the local economy.

The new tariff , which will be introduced in June (date to be confirmed) after undergoing statutory advertising and after signage and systems are updated, is set out below:

· Charges apply 8am to midnight (with no charges from midnight to 8am) Monday to Saturday.

From 8am to 6pm.

Up to 2 hours – Free

Up to 3 hours – £1.00

Up to 5 hours – £2.00

All day (to midnight/8am next day) – £4.00

Evening (from 6pm until midnight/8am next day) – £1.00

Sunday.

All day (to midnight/8am next day) – £1.00

· Short stay car parks limited to maximum 3 hour stay.

· Pre-paid contract passes / season tickets can only be used in long stay car parks.

· Tariffs to be paid while charging an electric vehicle.