COUNCIL bosses have been asked to look at ways of making it more attractive for visitors to shop in Wellington by removing car parking fees on Saturdays.

Cllr Gary James has put three options to Taunton Deane Borough Council, which manages council-owned car parks in Wellington, which he believes could help with the town’s economic viability.

Parking could be free on Saturday, which could be a real boost for trade in the town.

Free parking every Saturday with an increase in price from Monday to Friday by 10p an hour to cover the cost.

Free parking from midday onwards every Saturday but with no increase in cost through the week.

Cllr James told the Wellington Town Centre Working Group he recognised that a concession for the four Saturdays prior to Christmas was already given but added that ‘for the traders in shops something further needed to be done to assist their livelihoods and stimulate the High Streets’.

Cllr Roger Habgood, who has responsibility for transportation at Taunton Deane, has offered to take up the matter with council officials, although he has warned there are various practical issues, regulatory and fiscal matters.

Any change would require new traffic orders, signage, different enforcement arrangements and possible alterations to the ticket machines.

Cllr Habgood has said Taunton Deane would also want ‘any potential change to be thought through and to be cost neutral’.