A COMMUNITY running group will be moving to a new home after a row with Blackburn with Darwen Council over planned parking charges.

The 5kGroupRun will be moving to St Bede’s RC High School due to the proposed introduction of parking charges at its current home in Witton Park.

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The group has been based at its previous home for three years.

Cllr Damian Talbot said the council had no choice but to implement the charge because of ‘unprecedented cuts’.

Founder Rick Wilson said the parking charges were not the only reason for the move but they played a big part.

He said: “We could not stay at Witton Park. There would have been no capacity for us but we needed better facilities as well. At St Bede’s we’ve been given designated and overflow parking.

“I understand the council’s position, but I didn’t think that generating income this way was beneficial.”

The new partnership will aim to introduce the multi-award winning Couch to 5k sessions, which are the largest in the UK, to pupils and parents.

The group will be provided with meeting rooms, toilets, showers, signage, lighting and secure car parking, none of which it had at Witton Park.

Mr Wilson said that he was very excited about the new partnership which will make the group grow.

He said: “We are really pleased that the school wanted to partner with us.

“The school approached us about it and I think that spoke volumes about the ethos of the school which seemed to fit with our running community.

“Every meeting I have with the school the staff surprise me with a new development.

“They said they had been in discussions with Lancashire Sport about offering qualifications to our volunteers which the group is really enthused by.

“The possibilities are endless now.”

Cllr Damian Talbot, executive member for leisure at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “Rick has been in touch with me and I am sorry that the group felt they had to make the move.

“The council is very supportive of the group and I’m glad they have found a new base. We did not take the parking charges decision lightly.” but it is something we had to do due to unprecedented cuts.”

Chris Bentley, St Bede’s assistant headteacher, said: “We fully support the excellent work Rick and his team of volunteers are undertaking.”