HALESOWEN and Rowley Regis MP James Morris has demanded free parking in town centres in a House of Common’s debate.

The MP was supporting a bill, backed by the government, which will see local councils given greater flexibility to reduce, or scrap, parking charges in council owned car parks.

High streets are under pressure from a shift in spending from physical shops to online with 15 shop closures a day across the UK in the first half of 2016 and the number of new openings is the lowest level for five years.

Businesses in Halesowen, Old Hill, Cradley Heath and Blackheath are concerned that the charges put people off from visiting local high streets.

Local MP James Morris said, “There has long been a suspicion amongst drivers that parking charges and penalties are being used to increase the amount of money that local authorities can spend.

"Both Sandwell and Dudley recorded nearly half a million pounds between them in profit from parking charges. Local people want, and deserve, to have faith that this money is being used properly.”

The Government has tried to tackle higher parking charges and aggressive parking enforcement which have caused considerable distress for thousands of motorists.

These include the end of parking charges being used as a stealth tax, introducing new grace periods and stopping the industrial use of CCTV spy cars.

The bill will also mean that local groups, such as Halesowen Chamber of Trade will need to be consulted with if the local authority wishes to increase charges.

James Morris added: “The link between parking charges and the health of British high streets cannot be underestimated.

"These changes intend to make it easier for local authorities to lower their charges to promote economic vitality of our town centres and importantly ensure that if an increase is to be considered, the right steps are taken to make sure they are properly considered.”