A FREE parking initiative to boost trade for local shops has been rejected by the council.

Kerk Davies, chairman of the South Woodford Business Partnership, wanted Redbridge Council to introduce free parking in a car park off George Lane, South Woodford, for Saturday shoppers.

He also proposed to introduce a ‘grace period’ between a parking ticket expiring and a fine being issued, in the hope that people would be more likely to use their local stores on a Saturday if they didn’t have to worry about getting fined.

But when the Guardian asked Redbridge Council if they would consider the proposal, they simply said: “There are currently no plans to introduce free parking within car parks.”

Mr Davies has said although he is disappointed with the council’s response he is not surprised. He said: “They are going to lose absolutely nothing from this because that car park is empty all the time.

“I know the council have their backs against the wall because they make their money from parking and right now there isn’t much money anywhere, but if they aren’t losing anything but actually gaining local shoppers from this then I don’t see why we can’t work together on something.

“We will be investigating further into how we can persuade the council to agree to this and I will be making regular checks on Saturdays to see how many cars are actually using the George Lane car park.”