South Ribble car park changes face review as new charges and restrictions planned

South Ribble Borough Council will be forced to reconsider plans to introduce parking charges and restrictions across the borough.

A group of five Liberal Democrat and Conservative councillors have joined forces to collectively call in a recent decision which will see changes made at car parks in areas including Bamber Bridge, Leyland, Walton-le-Dale and Penwortham.

As a result, the council’s scrutiny committee will review the decision in a meeting taking place on Thursday (April 9).

The changes were announced in May following a consultation process and were justified by the council on the basis it could not afford to continue losing £55,000 a year on the upkeep of the facilities. It also says its plans will lead to a new budget of £124,000 for improvements.

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However, the group – Cllrs David Howarth, Karen Walton, Angela Turner, Joan Burrows and David Shaw – argue the consultation was not good enough and say the decision should be reconsidered on grounds which suggest the decision makers were not open in the reasonings and did not consider local knowledge.

Among the changes are introduction of new charges and reduced time limits at various car parks. While some of these will have a permit option available, the changes also include the introduction of a flat annual fee of £50 for permits, which means a dramatic increase for other areas which previously had free or much cheaper rates and are otherwise unaffected.

The council did amend its original plans following the consultation which received responses in addition to petitions which received thousands of signatures. The affected car parks and approved changes are:

Kingsway car park, Bamber Bridge – 2 hours free parking with no return within 3 hours from 8am to 6pm (long stay permits available)
Liverpool Road Car Park, Penwortham – 1-hour free parking, no return within 3 hours, £1 for 3 hours and £2 for 4 hours. From 8am to 6pm
Ryefield Avenue Car Park, Penwortham – 2 hours free parking no return within 3 hours from 8am to 6pm (long stay permits available)
Bowling Terrace Car Park, Leyland – 1-hour free parking, no return within 3 hours, £1 for 3 hours and £12 for 7 days from 8am to 6pm. Long stay permits and residents permits are available
Leyland Leisure Centre, Leyland – 1-hour free parking, no return within 3 hours. 3 hours free for leisure centre users. Long stay permits available. From 8am to 6pm
Cann Bridge Street Car Park, Higher Walton – 2 hours free parking, no return within 3 hours from 8am to 6pm. Residents and long stay permits available
Churchill Way Car Park, Leyland – 1-hour free parking, no return within 3 hours, up to 3 hours £1, all day £3 with 7 days £12. Long stay permits available. From 8am to 6pm
Bamber Bridge Leisure Centre, Brindle Road – 3 hours free parking, no return within 3 hours, £3 all day or £12 for 7 days. Long stay permits are available. From 8am to 6pm
Withy Grove Car Park, Bamber Bridge – 3 hours free parking, no return within 3 hours, £3 all day, £12 for 7 days from 8am to 6pm. Long stay permits available
Victoria Road Car Park, Walton-le-Dale – 1-hour free parking, no return within 3 hours, £1 for 3 hours. Long stay permits and residents permit available. From 8am to 6pm

A report prepared for the scrutiny committee gives context on the issues raised by the councillors, noting the numbers of responses to the consultation; the efforts made to inform the public through social media, press notices, posters and letters; and the opportunities for councillors to seek more information.

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