COUNCILLORS want FREE parking in Royston during the run up to Christmas. And they are willing to pay for it, too. Members of North Herts District Council s Royston area committee have supported a suggestion from Cllr Peter Burt. He said the scheme should

COUNCILLORS want FREE parking in Royston during the run up to Christmas.

And they are willing to pay for it, too.

Members of North Herts District Council's Royston area committee have supported a suggestion from Cllr Peter Burt.

He said the scheme should be introduced for December after 4pm. Currently parking after 4pm costs 10 pence.

"It seems to be something that would be appropriate and shows that we are getting in the Christmas spirit," said Cllr Burt.

The committee said it was willing to pay between £160 and £200 from its budget to introduce the scheme.

This would be the estimated amount lost in parking charges during the month.

But for the scheme to be given the go-ahead the committee has to convince transport portfolio holder Cllr Richard Thake.

Last year the 10 pence charged remained during the run up to Christmas - but it had been dropped in previous years in a bid to encourage shopping in the town centre.

Cllr Fiona Hill said last year the district council had appeared to have "moved the goalposts" over dropping the 10 pence parking charges.

And Cllr F John Smith said it seemed to be a "sensible" suggestion to introduce the scheme in December.

"It's not as though we are thinking about this at the last moment as we have nine months to see it put in place," he said.

Town centre manager Gerraint Burnell commented that the dropping of the 10 pence charge seemed a "positive idea".