Shoppers in parts of West Suffolk could soon benefit from new free parking schemes under proposals being consulted on by West Suffolk Council.

The council has launched a statutory consultation on plans to introduce free parking periods in car parks across Haverhill, Newmarket and Bury St Edmunds as part of a two-year pilot scheme aimed at supporting town centres and boosting footfall.

If approved following consultation, the changes would come into effect from Monday, June 15.

Under the proposals, shoppers in Haverhill and Newmarket would be able to park free for the first hour in selected council-run car parks.

In Haverhill, the scheme would apply to the Arts Centre, Jubilee Walk and Lower Downs Slade car parks. In Newmarket, it would cover All Saints, The Guineas and Rous Road car parks.

Meanwhile, in Bury St Edmunds, motorists could be offered free parking between 8am and 10am on Mondays at the arc surface and underground car parks.

Drivers would still need to obtain and display a parking ticket during the free parking periods, but would not be charged unless they stayed beyond the allocated free time.

Councillors agreed in February to use up to £1.2 million from council reserves over two years to fund the parking initiatives. The council said the funding would help offset the costs associated with maintaining car parks and paying more than £1 million annually in business rates linked to the sites.

Councillor Cliff Waterman, leader of West Suffolk Council, said the authority was already working with partners to support local high streets and encourage visitors into town centres.

“These parking changes, using reserves, were put forward by councillors as part of the council’s budget setting in February this year,” he said. “We are now carrying out a consultation including with our town centre partners to ensure that any changes we make will bring the intended benefits to town centre businesses.”

Councillor David Taylor, cabinet member for operations, said the council wanted to ensure any changes would positively impact town centres without discouraging longer visits.

“We are keen to ensure that any change won’t put off people who want to come to our towns, stay longer and spend more,” he said.

People can view and comment on the Traffic Regulation Order proposals by emailing parking@westsuffolk.gov.uk. The deadline for comments is June 4.