Star date: 2nd November 2012

NOW SALFORD SHOPPING CENTRE INTRODUCES FREE THREE HOUR PARKING FROM 15 NOVEMBER

It's all change again at Salford Precinct, with its owners introducing free three hour parking from the 15th November – while the remaining Salford Council owned car park on Hankinson Way remains at only half an hour's free parking. Confused? Hopefully this will be the final change…

Full details here…

In the previous Salford Star article (click here) we flagged up the confusion following the sale of two Salford Council car parks to Salford Precinct owner Salford Estates. The Council car park on Hankinson Way provided half an hour's free parking, while the three Precinct owned car parks were charging for every minute.

Now, from the 15th November it's altered again, as the three Precinct owned car parks on `Heywood Way' (site of the old market, had a name change, was called Market Way last week), Pendleton Way (opp new Tesco) and Rossall Way (across the road from the old Tesco) will provide free car parking for three hours

For anyone wanting to park for longer than three hours, the Pendleton Way car park will have Pay and Display machines charging 75p per hour after the three hour free limit, with £100 fines for anyone who doesn't pay it, reduced to £40 if paid within 14 days. Presumably, the two other car parks will just have a three hour limit.

"This change will encourage people to visit Salford Shopping Centre and allows sufficient time for people to enjoy the excellent shopping on offer" says a Precinct spokesman "In order to monitor the free parking, we will be implementing an Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system. This ANPR system will ensure the three hour free parking is not abused.

"The introduction of the three hours of free parking will attract shoppers to Salford Shopping Centre and represents a fair deal for both consumers and local businesses" he adds "It also represents another step towards our ongoing aim of making the area a premier and attractive shopping destination. Posters advertising the changes will be delivered to tenants in the coming days and will also be prominently displayed throughout Salford Shopping Centre."

The three hours free parking will mirror the deal at the new Tesco soon to open opposite the Precinct. Which will just leave the Salford Council owned car park on Hankinson Way imposing short term charges. But, if you're staying all day, at £3.50, it's cheaper than the Precinct's charge of £3.75 for three to eight hours, or £5 for 24 hours. Still confused?

Maybe the first thing anyone needs to do next time they visit the Precinct is to get a map and a calculator…