It has been announced that free overnight parking will be available at 15 selected Manchester Metrolink car parks on Friday and Saturday nights from Friday 4th December as part of a three month trial. More than 2,500 parking spaces will be open for Metrolink passengers with the one proviso being that the car must be collected by noon the following day.
The car parks involved will be Brooklands, Stretford, Navigation Road, Bury, Crumpsall, Prestwich, Radcliffe, Whitefield, East Didsbury, Ladywell, Hollinwood, Oldham Mumps, Rochdale Railway Station, Derker and Shaw & Crompton. Only car parks with more than 30 stops have been included on purpose so as to ensure that passengers at the smaller car parks will still be able to find a space the following morning.
Peter Cushing, TfGM’s Metrolink Director, said: “We’ve listened closely to our customers who want to park overnight and what better time of year to try it out on weekends? There’s a booming festive night-time economy both in the city centre and right across Greater Manchester. I’m sure there are plenty of people going for a night out, or working a late shift, who want to catch the tram without having to worry about leaving their car behind. I hope this trial can help people enjoy all the region has to offer at this time of year, without the hassle of searching for a parking space.”
The subject of overnight parking has been a thorny issue for passengers with shift workers and those enjoying a night out in the city centre being fined for leaving these cars overnight. This has been believed to be necessary to allow enough spaces to be available for passengers arriving the following morning and also to avoid any local residents abusing the free parking. All fines are paid directly to a management company with no monies heading towards TfGM.
Tough if you live in Tameside!