Free parking offered across the Moorlands throughout August will cost Staffordshire Moorlands District Council an estimated £46,000, a council report has stated.

The report came as part of a delegated decision by the council to take action on kick-starting the area's town centres following the Coronavirus pandemic.

Nub News reported previously how parking charges in Biddulph and across the district have been suspended this month in an effort to attract visitors back to high streets.

The report by the council's Executive Director for Place, Neil Rodgers, provides more information on this decision, stating: "The cost of the free parking concession during August is expected to be approximately £46,000.

"This is based on the assumed level of income in addition to the expected reimbursement through Government funding that the Council would have received in the form of a grant for lost income (75% of lost income after an allowance of 5% for normal fluctuations)."

It also notes that during the lockdown period from 23rd March until 6th June, weekly tickets issued fell by 86% when compared to the corresponding week in 2019.

This decrease has led to a "significant loss" of parking revenue for the council, with revenue in April 2020 being down 88% from that in April 2019, equating to a loss of £49,451.67.

In May 2020, revenues were 84% below those in May 2019, at a loss of £44,931.62, and revenues in June 2020 were 61% below those in June 2019, at a loss of £29,850.96.

However, the report also notes that "some of this loss may be recovered from the Government's recent commitment to reimburse local authorities for income losses due to the pandemic."

Biddulph Nub News also reported recently how those enjoying free parking in Biddulph's car parks this month have been reminded that they still need to display a ticket on their car, after some drivers were apparently issued penalty notices for not doing this.