FREE parking could be introduced at Bolton Market after councillors gave voted in favour of proposals to help struggling traders.

Cllr Mudasir Dean tabled a motion at this week’s full council meeting urging the chamber to take steps to support stallholders.

He said: “It is essential to provide support to market traders following the closure of Moor Lane bus station.

Due to this Bolton Market has seen a recent decline in footfall.

“This motion proposes that a Policy Development Group be set up to consider the introduction of 40 minutes free limited parking on Bolton Market car park to encourage more people to visit our market and increase trade.”

Cllr Dean’s proposal was motion was backed unanimously by his fellow councillors.

Cllr Nick Peel, cabinet member for the environment, said that he wanted to see the market do well. But he warned that the council would have to be careful that the parking benefited traders and was not used by shoppers go elsewhere.