Free paring program on Elm Street comes to an end Friday. (Hilary Duff/CBC)

Some business owners along Elm Street in Sudbury want the program offering free parking along the busy downtown stretch to be continued beyond its Friday deadline.

But some drivers complain about the heavy traffic parked cars have created in the area.

The pilot project was started in June with 18 free parking spots on the south side of Elm Street, all with a time limit of two hours.

"It's offered easy access for our customers to come in and visit the establishment. It was a very short-term trial phase, and if it was given more time it probably would have had a better response," said Bill Querney, one of the owners of a store on Elm Street.

Querney said there are a few changes he would make should the program be put into place permanently, including better monitoring of the two-hour time limit.

Aris Harbulik gave the idea mixed reviews Friday, as he had his car parked on the street in front of the Rainbow Centre Mall.

"It's convenient parking-wise, but I'd say it's a bad idea for traffic. During the day traffic gets backed up quite a bit," he said.

City staff have been monitoring the parking program throughout the summer and will present report to city council later this fall.

Council will then make a decision on whether or not to reintroduce the program.