Pendle councillors clash on Nelson town centre parking

11:00am Friday 11th January 2013 in News Photograph of the Author By Tyrone Marshall, Reporter

WRANGLE The car park at New Brown Street, Nelson WRANGLE The car park at New Brown Street, Nelson

A ROW has broken out over plans to increase business parking in Nelson town centre.

Proposals have been drawn up by PEARL (Pendle Enterprise and Regeneration Ltd) to take over the New Brown Street car park and provide 25 business parking spaces.

These spaces would be used by staff at the ACE Centre, and could be used to attract more businesses to the centre.

Labour councillors in the town have delayed making a decision on the scheme for another month, and said they wanted to protect Nelson residents as well as help businesses.

But their Conservative colleagues have accused them of not caring about the ‘prosperity’ of the area.

Coun Mohammed Iqbal, Labour leader in Pendle, said: “This is probably the best used car park for shoppers in Nelson town centre so it is not a decision that can be taken lightly. We have asked the people involved to go away for a month and see if a compromise can be reached.

“We are looking after Nelson residents as well as trying to help businesses.

“I asked how many businesses were ready to sign up and move in subject to car parking and the answer was zero, so it is purely a speculative request at this stage.”

Nelson Conservative councillor Tommy Cooney said: “Yet again I’m left in disbelief by the Labour Party in Nelson.

“They don’t know what’s good for the town.

“Filling these offices would bring extra benefits to the town in terms of spend in the local area.

“It flies in the faces of everything the Conservatives have tried to do with projects like the Portas Pilot, and leaves me wondering whether they care at all about the prosperity of the area.”

Comments (6)

11:05am Fri 11 Jan 13

Izanears says...

As I have said before, what is wrong with the Goitside car park. There is plenty of space and it is only a short distance away and the walk will do them good. After all, the council spends thousands of pounds persuading people to excercise more.
As I have said before, what is wrong with the Goitside car park. There is plenty of space and it is only a short distance away and the walk will do them good. After all, the council spends thousands of pounds persuading people to excercise more. Izanears

11:20am Fri 11 Jan 13

ROBERTSLUMDWELLER123 says...

Tommy Cooney you dont know whats good for the Town,thats why its full of SLUM Dwellings
Tommy Cooney you dont know whats good for the Town,thats why its full of SLUM Dwellings ROBERTSLUMDWELLER123

11:22am Fri 11 Jan 13

ROBERTSLUMDWELLER123 says...

Izanears wrote:
As I have said before, what is wrong with the Goitside car park. There is plenty of space and it is only a short distance away and the walk will do them good. After all, the council spends thousands of pounds persuading people to excercise more.
isnt that the reason the council demolished the old theatre?? so the few visitors the ACE centre attracts could park there,,,
[quote][p][bold]Izanears[/bold] wrote: As I have said before, what is wrong with the Goitside car park. There is plenty of space and it is only a short distance away and the walk will do them good. After all, the council spends thousands of pounds persuading people to excercise more.[/p][/quote]isnt that the reason the council demolished the old theatre?? so the few visitors the ACE centre attracts could park there,,, ROBERTSLUMDWELLER123

11:42am Fri 11 Jan 13

tonygreaves says...

The ACE Centre always seems well used when I am there. But stopping people parking opposite wil not help the ACE Centre itself.

The people who want to park there for "business purposes" want to part there all day of course while they are at work. At present it's 2½ hours.

I hope that the Nelson Committee stick to their guns and tell PEARL to go and run.

Tony Greaves
The ACE Centre always seems well used when I am there. But stopping people parking opposite wil not help the ACE Centre itself. The people who want to park there for "business purposes" want to part there all day of course while they are at work. At present it's 2½ hours. I hope that the Nelson Committee stick to their guns and tell PEARL to go and run. Tony Greaves tonygreaves

11:01pm Fri 11 Jan 13

Marsdener says...

Labour / Liberals are probably right on this one.

There is plenty of parking on Goitside and the former Theatre (next to the Snooker Club) was knocked down to provide more parking. They are within each reach of the Ace Centre and perfect for anyone wanting to take up offices in the Ace Centre. Usually (and I know there will be exceptions) don't need access to their cars during the day - particularly office based jobs.

Shoppers on the other hand (I am generalising a bit) have become lazy and would park inside a shop if they could and taking it away could mean lost business.

Anyway, a side thought - if they are looking to help the Ace Centre, where are all the visitors (to the function suite, etc) going to park if it is designated office users only?
Labour / Liberals are probably right on this one. There is plenty of parking on Goitside and the former Theatre (next to the Snooker Club) was knocked down to provide more parking. They are within each reach of the Ace Centre and perfect for anyone wanting to take up offices in the Ace Centre. Usually (and I know there will be exceptions) don't need access to their cars during the day - particularly office based jobs. Shoppers on the other hand (I am generalising a bit) have become lazy and would park inside a shop if they could and taking it away could mean lost business. Anyway, a side thought - if they are looking to help the Ace Centre, where are all the visitors (to the function suite, etc) going to park if it is designated office users only? Marsdener

3:36pm Sun 13 Jan 13

Lucy Porter 101 says...

I wouldn't rent an office if it had no parking.

Surely the Lib Dems should have realised this when they were building this huge white elephant!!

I bet almost all the offices in the ACE centre are empty!
I wouldn't rent an office if it had no parking. Surely the Lib Dems should have realised this when they were building this huge white elephant!! I bet almost all the offices in the ACE centre are empty! Lucy Porter 101

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