Low cost parking ‘key factor for town centres’ - Gaston

He said: “The fact that the new councils will have control over car park charges for many car parks close to town centres presents us with an opportunity to do a little to help business in these times of economic hardship.

“Once bustling high streets and their remaining shops are now struggling to survive.

“Aesthetically pleasing artwork on empty shop fronts may bring cosmetic change, but is no substitute for kick-starting the economy as it simply just papers over the existing cracks instead of fixing them.

“One of the drains on our town centres is excessive car park charges.

“I believe it would make more sense if the facilities were standardized and charges were kept to a minimum across the board.”