A PETITION has been launched in an effort to get free parking for Bishop Auckland.

Councillor Lesley Zair set it up online with the aim of reaching at least 5,000 signatures after raising concerns over the future of struggling independent businesses in the town centre.

She is urging Durham County Council to provide some free parking, even just for a few hours, in the run up to Christmas and into the New Year.

At Bishop Auckland Town Council meeting on Tuesday (December 10), coun Lesley Zair said: “I started this for the people of Bishop Auckland and nothing else. We need these signatures to make them stand up and listen to us. I have done it because otherwise we are not going to get anywhere.

Councillors had mixed feelings about the possible success of a petition, with some criticising whether there was a need to highlight negative issues in the town while others claimed they had tried in the past to get free parking but without success.

Referring to an article in The Northern Echo on Tuesday, December 10, Councillor John Lethbridge said: “This issue has been raised over the years. I feel her (coun Zair) points were well made.”

“I am all supportive of the town,” said Councillor Lee Brownson. “I am trying to promote a positive place but it was a negative article.”

Councillor Ann Golightly said: “I brought this up four or five years ago I didn’t get any support for it.”

Councillor Sam Zair added: “I have been bringing this up every year.”

To sign the petition visit yousign.org and search free parking in Bishop Auckland.