Agenda item

To provide the Committee with information relating to current arrangements for both on and off street parking in Accrington Town Centre.

The Chair invited the Scrutiny and Policy Officer to present the report on Accrington Town Centre Parking.

It was reported that the Lancashire County Council were invited to report to the Committee but had been unable to attend. However, the Portfolio Holder for Highways at Lancashire County Council had said he would respond to any questions from the Committee and consider any suggestions they may have for improvements to town centre parking.

The Scrutiny and Policy Officer said the report was a simple document of information relating to the parking spaces available, both on and off street, in Accrington Town Centre and the time restrictions associated with these. Dave Turner, Engineer at Hyndburn Borough Council with responsibility for off street parking attended the meeting and provided some context.

The current parking arrangements in Accrington Town Centre were introduced when the town centre was developed. Lancashire County Council initially put these in place for approximately 2 years and had stated that these would then be reviewed. He did not believe a review had been carried out.

The Chair of the meeting indicated that he found parking arrangements in the town centre confusing, and residents had reflected these views to him. Residents had reported that it put them off using the Town Centre. The Chairs view was that there should be a consistent time restriction across all parking spaces of 3 hours.

Committee members had mixed views on current arrangements. Councillor Aziz said that although he could see the benefit of a single time restriction, some businesses relied short term parking where a customer can quickly drop in and then move on, freeing up parking for other customers to use. He also said there was a danger if parking restrictions were removed fully that all town centre spaces would end up being taken by those working in the town centre and not those shopping or visiting local businesses. He thought no changes should be made to current arrangements without first consulting with local businesses.

Cllr Walsh suggested a permit scheme be made available whereby town centre workers can park in certain areas for the full day.

Cllr Khan said any review should consider increasing the amount of disabled parking spaces available in the immediate town centre.

Cllr Dawson asked if a review had been carried out on the flow of traffic in the town centre, as this should also be considered if parking was to be reviewed. The Committee agreed.

The Committee agreed that the Chair should write to Lancashire County Council and request that a review of parking and traffic flow in Accrington Town Centre be carried out at the earliest opportunity, ensuring that local businesses are consulted as part of the review.

Dave Turner referred to an anomaly with off street parking that is car parks owned by Hyndburn Borough Council. Currently, all these car parks are available for all day parking with the exception of two (Cross Street and Abbey Street). These car parks have a Traffic Regulation Order for 3 hour parking. As Hyndburn Borough Council do not have a parking enforcement service, parking here is enforced by Ribble Valley Council at a cost to Hyndburn. Due to the costs associated, enforcement only happens on a very limited schedule. This can be confusing to users of the car parks and has no real benefit to the Council.

The Committee agreed and supported the removal of the Traffic Regulation Order on these car parks, which would create consistency across all Hyndburn Council owned car parks in Accrington Town Centre.

The Committee thanked Dave Turner for attending and offering advice to the Committee.

Resolved        -          

That the Chair of the Committee writes to the Portfolio Holder for Highways at Lancashire County Council, requesting:

-       A review of parking and traffic flow in Accrington Town Centre is carried out at the earliest opportunity

-       That the review includes consultation with local businesses to ensure their views are reflected in any changes made

-       That as part of the review, consideration be given to the views of members of this committee contained in the minutes of this meeting.

That the Traffic Regulation Order limiting parking to 3 hours on the car parks off Cross Street and Abbey Street be removed, bringing the car parks in line with other Hyndburn Borough Council owned car parks.