Free parking could go on trial in Ryedale after months of campaigning by traders.

Ryedale district councillors have agreed they want to settle the question of whether traders and shoppers benefit from free parking once and for all by introducing a six-month trial scheme.

Campaigning traders have given the move a cautious welcome, though many councillors believe the scheme will not work.

Councillors have decided they want to test a free parking scheme at Wentworth Street car park in Malton.

Their proposal involves the car park being maintained by a match-funded grant from the Countryside Agency's Market Towns Initiative.

It is set to be put before a meeting this month of the council's policy and resources committee.

Councillors at this committee will discuss the matter further and decide whether to rubber-stamp the scheme.

Coun Debbie Aubrook, who proposed the initiative, said it would help the council decide whether a free parking scheme throughout the town would work.

"If at the end of the trial scheme it is found that the free parking has not been of benefit, it can be dropped and parking charges can be re-imposed," she said.

"But if it is found that more people start using this car park because it is free, there may be a case for introducing free parking.

"If it turns out that more people are using it because it is free, despite the fact that they have a longer walk into town, then this might suggest free parking is the way forward."

Coun Stephen Shaw said he liked the idea of testing free car parking as it might highlight the possibility of having Malton town centre pedestrianised.

But Coun Keith Orrell believed testing the free parking scheme out at Wentworth Street car park would discriminate against disabled users. "They will not be able to use it because it is too far away from the town centre for them to walk," he said.

Councillors also considered the Best Value Review of Car Parking and decided the operation of car parks should not be put out to tender. They also decided there should be lower charges for long-stay parking and some concessions for residents who used the car parks.

Malton Chamber of Trade spokesman Denys Townsend said the move was a positive one.

He said: "The chamber of trade welcomes this piece of news. It is a great gesture from the council to the business community, and is something we have been striving for. Everyone at the chamber of trade will be very interested to see the results.

"The next step for us is to start promoting Malton, on the basis that visitors can come here to do their shopping and park without being charged."

Updated: 12:05 Monday, March 05, 2001