THE council is dropping parking charges at six of its car parks for two hours every Saturday in the run up to Christmas in a bid to attract shoppers.

The move follows pressure from local traders and the opposition Conservative group to ease parking restrictions to help smaller businesses in the recession.

The car parks in Church Lane, Leytonstone, Stanley Road, Leyton, South Grove, Walthamstow, and Larkshall Road, Highams Park, will offer the first two hours of parking free.

Council leader Chris Robbins described the move as an “early Christmas present”.

Waltham Forest Council's Leader, Cllr Chris Robbins, said: "We want to get people into our town centres and this is one way of making that happen.”

Cllr Matt Davis, Conservative group leader said: "I am delighted that the Labour and Lib Dem members are finally listening to what the borough's shopkeepers have been saying for some considerable time."

But Cllr Davis said its not enough and the borough's parking problems need "fixing."

The new arrangements begin on Saturday and continue until January 2.

What do you think? Will this help or should the council have been doing more to help local businesses a long time ago?

Leave a comment below.

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