THE ruling Conservatives have pledged they “fully intend” to bring back the much-loved residents parking discount if finances allow.

For years, Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead locals with an advantage card were entitled to reduced charges at council-operated car parks across the area.

But the Tories decided to scrap the discount in the hopes of making £650,000 of savings and saving their fragile finances during the 2020/21 budget.

The ruling group was accused of “penny-pinching” and over 7,000 residents signed a petition urging the council to reconsider this plan.

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Council leader Andrew Johnson (Con: Hurley & Walthams) has said they will deliver a balanced budget this year and have avoided financial collapse, where the local authority was dangerously close to freezing all non-essential spending to rebuild its finances.

Former Conservative councillor Ed Wilson asked at a full council meeting on Tuesday, September 28, if the local authority has any plans to reintroduce the parking discount for residents.

Cllr David Cannon (Con: Datchet, Horton & Wraysbury), lead member for parking and public protection, said: “Offering a discounted parking scheme for residents could assist with the bounce back of town centres and will encourage residents to shop locally which helps support the local economy, creates jobs and boosts local communities.

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“I therefore remain committed to the introduction of a new residents discounted parking scheme and one will be introduced, as soon as it is financially responsible to do so, so the residents and businesses can benefit from it.”

However, he could not reveal when it will be reintroduced as the council is “being led by finances”.

Cllr Johnson repeated this pledge at a cabinet meeting on Thursday, September 30, that they “fully intend” to bring back the parking discount.