‘If we get this wrong, we could kill the town’: Downham Market Town Council deliberates over future of free car parks

Councillors clashed once again over suggestions made about what to do about their town’s car parks.

Since last month, Downham Town Council has formed a car park working party where discussions have been held on introducing time-limit car parks.

During a full town council meeting on Tuesday, deputy mayor Cllr Charlie Pyatt addressed councillors on potential ideas.

Currently, it’s free to park in the town’s car parks which include popular ones The Hollies, Paradise Road, the Town Hall and Priory Road, with no set time limit.

Cllr Pyatt explained the working party’s suggestion to introduce a three-hour free limit to park, up to 6pm.

Five years had passed since Downham’s Town Council last discussed what to do with its car parks.

However, Cllr Tony Leach argued that this would be a “tax” for people who live in Downham and would be “morally wrong”.

Cllr Leach said: “I don’t see how we can fine people who work in the town.

“If we get this wrong, we could kill the town.”

Cllr Pyatt said: “If you come in from outside the town, you don’t pay into the precept, we’ve got to do what’s right for residents.”

Cllr Michael Lane added: “Lidl is coming to the outskirts of the town, people won’t be shopping as much in the town.”

No decisions have been made about the town’s car parks, and the council voted in favour of finding out more information from West Norfolk Council.