C
Colin Blackburn
Guest
From:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/gloucestershire/3696550.stm
Bikes beat hike in car park fees
A store boss has bought bicycles for some of his staff to help them avoid
a big hike in car parking charges.
Jim Balmer, who owns R Scott Menswear in Cirencester, was concerned by the
district council's six-fold increase.
He has now given bikes to two of his longest service employees to save
them paying the £25-a-week parking fee.
Jeffrey Nash and David Roberts, who have clocked up nearly 80 years of
service between them, were able to take up the offer because they live
nearby.
'Commend cycling'
Mr Balmer said: "One of them has worked 42 years, one has worked 37 years
for me.
"I thought they would make good use of them, because they live locally and
it would save them bringing their car in and spending a fiver a day just
to come into work."
Many traders in Cirencester and Tetbury complained that they were losing
business as a result of the increases, which were introduced last April.
But Cotwold District Council said the rise brought the towns in line with
others, like Stratford and neighbouring Cheltenham, which had much higher
parking charges.
The cycling charity Sustrans is impressed by Jim Balmer's gift to his
staff.
A spokesperson said: "We encourage employers to have travel plans for
their staff.
"We commend people cycling to work, it not only saves them money but also
helps them stay fit and healthy as well."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/gloucestershire/3696550.stm
Bikes beat hike in car park fees
A store boss has bought bicycles for some of his staff to help them avoid
a big hike in car parking charges.
Jim Balmer, who owns R Scott Menswear in Cirencester, was concerned by the
district council's six-fold increase.
He has now given bikes to two of his longest service employees to save
them paying the £25-a-week parking fee.
Jeffrey Nash and David Roberts, who have clocked up nearly 80 years of
service between them, were able to take up the offer because they live
nearby.
'Commend cycling'
Mr Balmer said: "One of them has worked 42 years, one has worked 37 years
for me.
"I thought they would make good use of them, because they live locally and
it would save them bringing their car in and spending a fiver a day just
to come into work."
Many traders in Cirencester and Tetbury complained that they were losing
business as a result of the increases, which were introduced last April.
But Cotwold District Council said the rise brought the towns in line with
others, like Stratford and neighbouring Cheltenham, which had much higher
parking charges.
The cycling charity Sustrans is impressed by Jim Balmer's gift to his
staff.
A spokesperson said: "We encourage employers to have travel plans for
their staff.
"We commend people cycling to work, it not only saves them money but also
helps them stay fit and healthy as well."
