Parking charges at car parks in Darwen will be waived whilst a local youth centre is developed.

As work begins to transform Darwen Youth Centre, Knott Street car park in Darwen will be closing in March 2024.

During the car park closure, parking charges on other car parks in Darwen will be waived.

Leader of the council, Councillor Phil Riley, said: "The start of the works to transform Darwen Youth Centre inevitably means that Knott Street car park will have to close, at least temporarily.

"The difference this work, funded through the Youth Investment Fund, will make to local young people is massive.

"The centre will be doubling in size with the addition of extra level on the existing building.

"We know that drivers who currently park on Knott Street will have to find alternative car parking, which is why we’ve made the decision to waive parking charges on the car parks at the train station and on Atlas Road.

"Free parking will be available on these car parks until at least March 2026, when parking charges in Darwen will be reviewed."

Earlier last year, facilities for young people across Blackburn with Darwen were set to be transformed with £8m of new funding.

The money was successfully secured through the Government’s Youth Investment Fund, and will pave the way for four major projects across the borough, including Darwen Youth Centre.

Darwen Youth Centre will receive £3.3m, building on the success of the existing Darwen Youth Centre and Youth Zone Darwen.

The Knott Street facility will double in size as part of plans to add an extra level on to the existing building.

The redevelopment will boast a new wellbeing area, creative workshop space, recording and DJ studio, gaming zone and multi-use spaces and the outdoor sports facilities will be upgraded too.