PEOPLE parking in Droitwich Spa centre will be able to get a third hour for free after district councillor approved a change to the district’s parking charges in a recent meeting.

The changes were approved on Wednesday, July 29, and will be introduced before the start of the August Bank Holiday on Monday, August 31.

They mean that drivers purchasing two hours worth of parking in any of the district council’s three town centre short stay car parks, will be able to get a third hour’s parking for free.

Councillor Richard Morris, portfolio holder for economy and housing on Wychavon District Council, said: “We want to make it easier for the residents of Wychavon to use our car parks by making them more accessible and therefore support the regeneration of our towns and communities.

“The use of mobile phone technology will support that aim while the introduction of an hour’s free parking will encourage people to spend more time in our towns to support our high streets and traders and enjoy our wonderful area. We will also continually assess improvements to our parking infrastructure as new technology develops.”

Wychavon District Council is also planning a trial to test out the use of mobile phone technology to pay for parking in the near future to examine its benefits, as well as the costs involved and the reaction of the public.

The hour’s free parking was recommended by councillors through the Car Park Review Working Group.

Councillors also confirmed that parking charges will remain frozen for the next four years, while ruling out the idea of introducing charges for evenings and on Sundays.