New parking meters won’t be installed in places where district or borough councils don’t want them, under draft proposal

It was also discussed last week at a regular meeting of the leaders and chief executives of Lancashire’s councils where the county council and all 12 district and borough councils are represented.

County Councillor Alan Vincent, deputy leader of Lancashire County Council, said: “The draft proposal outlined in our Medium-Term Financial Strategy was for a one-off investment of £1.95m in pay and display parking, with our intention being to consider them only in towns where there are already off-street pay and display car parks managed by district and borough councils.

“I made clear at the cabinet meeting that this item should be considered paused, until we had an opportunity to discuss it at the District Leaders Meeting on Thursday 25 January, in order to seek their appetite for the scheme with the benefit of their local knowledge.

“Of those present, Chorley, Ribble Valley, Burnley, Wyre, South Ribble and Pendle all made clear that they did not want any new pay and display parking, whilst the leader of Rossendale and the chief executive of Lancaster both expressed concerns, but wished to have more information before taking a final decision.

“I’m grateful to my colleagues for considering the proposal, and for their feedback, and I wish to make clear that no new parking meters will be imposed on any district that does not want them.”

An email confirming this is being sent to district and borough council leaders and chief executives as not all were present at the meeting.

There is currently only on-street pay and display parking in Lancaster and Preston, where it is used to help manage parking in busy areas by offering convenient short-term spaces, and ensure turnover of parking availability where there is high demand.